What barley crop EU farmers have harvested in 2020

Barley is one of the main food and forage crops in Europe.

This type of grain is used not only as a raw material for brewing beer, but also as a nutritious feed for animals and as a raw material for the production of fuel. At the same time, the yield of barley is traditionally higher in the EU countries, which account for up to 43% of the global export of this crop. This crop is most actively grown in Germany and France. In addition, it is in the EU countries that the highest yield of this crop is recorded, which is facilitated by several factors at once.

What factors affect the yield of barley

For the yield of barley, of course, the conditions in which this crop is grown are important. It is known to grow best on neutral or slightly alkaline soil, with free calcium carbonate in the soil. In addition, nutrients such as nitrogen and potassium play an important role. The most acute need for nutrients in this crop is observed during the active growth phase in spring. Also, this culture requires secondary nutrients and trace elements. In order to correctly calculate the required amount of fertilizers, it is important to know the nutrient content of one ton of products. In addition, do not forget that the yield of this crop also depends on the weather and climatic conditions in the region. During the drought that hit the farms in 2020, the crop lacked moisture and nutrients, and the hot sun did not add any benefits to the plants, destroying the weakest shoots. Because of this, the yield of barley, of course, decreased, even under conditions of regular feeding.

Barley yield in 2020

2020 was a real challenge for farmers. In addition to the coronavirus pandemic, which made it difficult to import and export products, the drought, which affected almost all agricultural countries, had a significant impact on yields. Despite this, according to statistics, the EU countries were able to show a high yield of this crop. So, in the EU countries and the UK in 2020, a total of 61.317 million tons were collected, which, however, is 3% less than a year earlier. At the same time, the sown area under this crop decreased by 1%, and the yield – by 2.2%. However, in other countries that are also involved in the cultivation of this crop, the yield was at a good level. In particular, thanks to this, Ukraine was able to supply the missing grains of this crop to the EU countries. In order to continue to trade with the EU countries in the future, Ukrainian products must have the necessary documents confirming the quality of the grain, indicating all the additives that were used in its cultivation. Local farmers have already faced these European requirements, and therefore take these features into account when growing barley.