This reduction is partly due to a low yield per hectare and partly due to a general decrease in the cultivation of cereals. The low cereals gain per hectare is primarily a consequence of the dry summer. The decrease in the cultivation of cereals is considered to be largely a consequence of the EU agricultural reforms introduced last year. Since the reforms were introduced, areas of cereals cultivation have decreased by 13 percent. The year's cereals yield is the lowest since 1992, which was an extremely dry year.
Higher production of rape and turnip rape than previous year
The total yields of rape and turnip rape is calculated to be 221 000 tonnes, an increase of 12 percent compared to 2005 and 35 percent higher that the average of the last five years. This increase is due to the cultivation of more winter rape.
Decrease in production of peas
The total yield of peas is calculated to be 53 000 tonnes. This is nearly 20 percent less than in 2005 and is a direct consequence of a decrease in the cultivation of peas by the same percentage.
Unfavourable weather conditions
A cold winter/spring season led to a delayed spring seedbed preparation and the following summer was too warm and dry. August brought heavy rains, which delayed and hindered harvesting.