Poland 2026 barley harvest faces low yields and higher mowing costs

The 2026 barley harvest in Poland has started early in several voivodeships, but yields are disappointing. In the West Pomeranian region, harvest began on July 2 with average yields of 4 t/ha, while in Lower Silesia yields range from 3.5 t/ha to a rare 7 t/ha. Łódź reports yields around 5 t/ha, Opole sees 3‑4.5 t/ha, and Lublin records many farms at just 3‑3.5 t/ha due to drought and frost. Grain prices hover between 600 PLN and 660 PLN per tonne, making production barely profitable for many farmers.

At the same time, the cost of hiring combine‑harvester services has risen sharply. Fuel prices have increased from about 6 PLN to 7 PLN per litre, pushing basic mowing rates from the previous year’s low of 450 PLN/ha to typically 500‑600 PLN/ha. Additional charges of roughly 50 PLN/ha apply for straw cutting or for work on small, weed‑infested or poorly accessible fields. These higher service fees add further pressure on growers already coping with low yields and modest grain prices.