Spring assessment of the condition of agricultural and horticultural crops in 2026
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It is initially estimated that this year the sown area of basic cereals with cereal mixtures is larger than last year (after taking into account the area ploughed due to winter damage) and amounts to approx. 5.6 million hectares (an increase of about 2.9%). According to initial estimates, the total cultivation area of rape and turnip rape is expected to decrease by around 0.4%. Winter and spring losses in the area of winter cereal crops were higher this year than in the previous year and amounted to about 1.1% for winter cereal mixtures and about 1.0% for winter barley. On plantations of winter wheat, rye, and triticale, winter losses amounted to approx. 0.2%.
The beginning of the growing season was observed in the second decade of March. How-ever, agrometeorological conditions during spring were generally unfavorable for plant growth and development. Spring cold spells slowed vegetation progress, while severe frosts occurring in the third decade of April, locally reaching even -9°C and taking the form of frost, caused damage to some crops, particularly flowering fruit trees and bushes as well as berry plantations. The extent of the damage varied and depended mainly on the location of the plantation and the cultivated variety. At the same time, the continuing shortage of rainfall limited soil water resources. In most parts of the country, significant drying of the topsoil layer was recorded, which negatively affected the growth and development of crops.
The overwintering of orchard crops was generally assessed as good, despite the occur-rence of severe frosts during winter. However, strong frosts recorded at the end of April, locally taking the form of frost, contributed to losses in orchard crops. In many regions of the country, significant damage to flowers and fruit sets was recorded on plantations of both fruit trees and fruit bushes. An additional factor weakening the condition of trees during spring was the increasing shortage of rainfall, which led to significant soil drying.
