Drought reduces crop yields in Slovakia and impacts Czech barley

Extreme drought and record-high temperatures have significantly lowered crop yield forecasts in Slovakia. According to the Slovak Statistical Office, autumn crop harvests will fall well below previous estimates and historical averages.

Key projections include a 47.2% year-on-year decrease in maize for grain production, estimated at 686,400 tons. Sunflower harvests are expected to drop by 12.4%, while sugar beet production is forecasted to decline by more than 60%. Although potato yields per hectare are expected to rise by 2.1%, the total harvest will likely decrease slightly due to reduced planting areas.

In the Czech Republic, hot and dry weather has also impacted malting barley. Laboratory results indicate higher protein content and lower starch levels in the grain. While Plzeňský Prazdroj notes that this will require more malt to achieve desired beer strength, the brewery does not anticipate a shortage of barley due to long-term relationships with growers.