A protracted drought is seen slashing 2009 maize output in Romania, the European Union's second largest producer with Hungary. Domestic officials have said yield of the crop, which is mostly harvested in September and October, may sink about 20% to 6.0-7.0 million tonnes.
"Maize harvesting has started timidly with yields likely to be slashed by drought," a farm ministry official told Reuters.
Official data showed that high temperatures in July and early August damaged maize plants on about 460,000 hectares of 2.3 million hectares of land. Including maize grown as fodder, Romania's 2008 crop was 8.0 million tonnes.
Agriculture and forestry in Romania accounted for 6.46% of Romanian GDP in 2008 at 503.9 billion lei, up from 5.68% in 2007.
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Official data showed that high temperatures in July and early August damaged maize plants on about 460,000 hectares of 2.3 million hectares of land. Including maize grown as fodder, Romania's 2008 crop was 8.0 million tonnes.
Agriculture and forestry in Romania accounted for 6.46% of Romanian GDP in 2008 at 503.9 billion lei, up from 5.68% in 2007.
Read more