Clémence de Bréchard 0:05
Hi, and welcome to this Agriculture Insight podcast, where we analyse the forces shaping the important global agriculture markets.
My name is Clémence de Bréchard and I am joined today by my colleague Caroline Bournand, our senior consultant, to discuss Argus’ crop tour in Romania. For more insights on the Black Sea crops, we conduct crop tours in Ukraine, Russia and Romania throughout the year that can be found in the August AgriMarkets Outlook service.
So let’s get to it. Caroline, my first question to you is: Which areas are monitored in the country and who is Argus speaking with?
Caroline Bournand 0:48
Hi everyone.
So yes, Clémence indeed, we focus on the main producing areas, which are the south of the country, southeast and west side.
We speak to farmers who roughly own between 1,000 and 40,000 hectares, so quite important farmers. In wintertime, we do a virtual crop tour via phone calls.
So in terms of methodology we do ask many questions, such as crop conditions, weather conditions since sowings and some questions about the rating on quality for wheat to have an idea of where we are at this time of the year.
Clémence de Bréchard 1:39
Alright, I see.
And how big is the area sold for weed, compared with last year and on average?
Caroline Bournand 1:49
Regarding the feedback we had, we can say that we have overall better sowing conditions and bigger areas than we had last year and on the five-year average. So
in general, all the farmers said conditions in the fall were way better than they were in previous years because they had more rain. So they got, let’s say, a standard fall and its been a long time since they have seen conditions like that.
Clémence de Bréchard 2:29
Right. Thank you.
And how are the weather conditions since August, then?
What feedback did you get from farmers?
Caroline Bournand 2:39
Compared with previous years, as I said, there were some rains during the fall, so let’s go through the main regions.
First, in the eastern region, in Constanta and Tulcea, it was really rainy there. They got way enough water, around 350mm-400mm since August.
Further in the west side, in Braila, Ialomita and Calarasi, it didn't rain as much as in the east because they got only 150mm-200mm of water, depending on the region. It was enough for the crop so that is important to say, but it wasn't enough for the soil moisture reserves, though, they couldn’t fill up again.
But once again, it was sufficient for the crop so far.
A final word on the southern region. So Teleorman (as a reminder, it's the main producing region with 8pc of wheat production for the country). In this region, the cumulative rainfall was OK, but it was quite relevant to notice that there was a slight delay in the crop-growing cycle because they had late rains in September, meaning they had, as I said, a slight delay. It’s the only region where we noticed this delay.
It's not something concerning for now, but of course we will monitor it over the next few weeks and months. And finally, on the western side, the conditions are OK too, with enough rain.
Clémence de Bréchard 4:41
What would you say the crops look like so far?
What's the general quality of the crops?
Caroline Bournand 4:47
So farmers report good and very good conditions in the south, southeast and east of the country, with rain since September. The wheat stage is tailoring with three leaves for most fields, something that had not happened for a long time so this is something to keep in mind.
And to summarise, the conditions are quite good, apart from the slight delay we mentioned in the south of the country.
Clémence de Bréchard 5:25
OK, alright, I see.
And what about other crops like rapeseed or corn?
What do they look like?
Caroline Bournand 5:36
The rapeseed conditions are good in all the observations.
The rapeseed planted areas are expected to increase, compared with the five-year average and last year as well. So of course, as is the case for wheat, it will depend on the spring conditions, especially for rapeseed, which is quite a fragile crop. But today, at the beginning of December, the conditions are really good and areas, as I said, are supposed to increase a lot this year. On the opposite, corn conditions have been harder and harder over the years, so the area could continue to reduce.
Clémence de Bréchard 6:26
Well, thank you, Caroline, for this overview of the crops in Romania.
Can you tell us when will be the next crop tour?
Caroline Bournand 6:34
Yes. So the next crop tour will be virtual as well and will be in April, before going back to the country ourselves in June to meet the farmers and going back into the fields.
Clémence de Bréchard 6:49
Awesome. Thanks a lot, Caroline and we'll continue to closely watch the situation in the region.
Thank you all for listening to us for analysis, insights, prices and crop tour updates. Make sure to check out our AgriMarket services — we have daily, weekly and monthly reports that can help you get ahead of the markets. Goodbye, everyone.
