WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. — Czech farmers experienced another good grain harvest with the exception of the corn crop, which is one-third lower than last year’s crop, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) reported on Nov. 18.

Despite an initial negative outlook and concerns during the summer, the final harvest estimates prepared by the Czech Statistical Office are positive. Except for corn, all grains show increased yields, when compared to earlier estimates. Average hectare yield for grains (excluding corn) reaches 6.02 tonnes and is only 1.1% lower than last year’s exceptional yield. Total grain crop of 7.8 million tonnes (excluding corn) can be described as very good again, exceeding a 10-year average by 16.6%, as reported by the Czech Statistical Office.

The corn crop is estimated at 555,238 tonnes, a 33.3% drop year-on-year. The main reason for such a drop in production is a slump in yield caused by the hot and dry weather experienced, as the harvested area declined only very slightly, by 5.2%.

With almost unchanged acreage, the total grain crop (including corn) reached 8.4 million tonnes. Quality of grains is so far reported as good or satisfactory, the report said.