Bulgaria: Bulgaria Expects Higher Grain Crop
Bulgarian farmers increased their wheat planted area by 8 percent and reduced barley area by an estimated 7 percent in MY2016/17, according to the latest official report. Corn planting has been done at a much faster rate than in the previous season and in the optimum timeframe, however, total corn planted area is currently estimated by FAS/Sofia to decline by 10 percent. The spring weather conditions to date have been very good with abundant rainfall and mild temperatures which provided an optimistic start for corn and increased the yield potential for the winter grains. The temperatures in the second ten days of June exceeded 30 -35 C and while they were favorable for early barley and wheat harvest, they have begun to deplete soil moisture reserves for the spring crops.