According to the European Commission (EC) forecast, wheat crop in Latvia this year will decrease by 9% compared to last year, according to the Department of Agriculture and Direct Support of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Given the adverse weather conditions - drought and heat - in April, May and June 2018, it can be expected that grain yield will decrease significantly in 2018, according to the MM Market and Direct Support Department. The EC has forecasted that wheat production in Latvia will decrease by 9%

This year's drought and heat, which dominated most of the country in April, May and June, will have a significant impact on grain yield, the European Commission predicts that wheat production in Latvia will decrease by 9 percent. Also, the surveys of plant cultivation specialists of the Latvian Rural Advice and Education Center (LLKC) show that summer, especially in Kurzeme, this year did not expect a lot or did not expect at all what does not allow for good crops.

Winter barley has already reached the stage of preparation and as soon as the precipitation goes over, harvesting will commence. This year, the harvest time in Latvia is planned two weeks earlier than usual, experts of the agricultural company "Baltic Agro" conclude.

Grain harvesting in large quantities this year in Latvia could start in the second half of July, which is earlier than average in Latvia for other years, the farmers surveyed.