Weather Woes for Latvia's Potato Farmers in 2022
Challenging spring proves troublesome for Latvian potato farmers
The 2022 potato season in Latvia has been marred by challenging weather conditions, affecting the crop yields and cash flow of many farmers.
Andis Arājs, owner of the Jaunstrīķeri farm in Iecava parish, has experienced delays in planting due to excessive moisture. Last year's heavy rains in August flooded almost everything that had been planted in Jaunstrīķeri, causing significant damage. Arājs also mentions receiving help from German seed companies to replant potatoes after last year's seeds were damaged.
Ilmārs Pētersons, owner of the Baltiņi farm in Skaistkalne parish, one of the largest potato growers in Latvia, has faced similar challenges. Early potatoes were planted on time at Baltiņi, but a cold spell and rain delayed the planting of late varieties. Pētersons predicts that this year's total yield could be lower.
The impact of weather conditions on the acreage of potatoes is already being felt. According to Aiga Kraukle, head of the Potato Growers and Processors Association, some farmers have not planted any potatoes this season due to the difficult conditions. The area under potatoes in Latvia has been declining, with 5,353 hectares planted last year, which is 500 hectares less than the year before.
Kraukle notes that potatoes are a very energy- and resource-intensive crop, making it even more challenging for farmers to recover from weather-related damages. She mentions specific regions, such as Ozolnieki, Jaunpils, and Madona, where potatoes have not been planted this year.
The damage in Jaunstrīķeri's potato fields has had an impact on cash flow, and Arājs expresses concern about not receiving payments on time from banks. In addition, Arājs laments the lack of insurance options, leaving farmers without a safety net.
There is hope for European support for the damages caused last year. However, without specific data from the 2022 season, we can only infer based on general principles of how weather affects agricultural production. If Latvia experienced similar adverse weather conditions in 2022, it would likely result in reduced potato yields.
For those seeking specific data from the 2022 season, historical agricultural reports or databases from Latvia may provide precise yield figures.
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