Free of charge

Unexpected hailstorms ravaged regions

July 4, 2017 at 8:49 PM , Starry Night Ltd.
Play report as audio

Recent hails, as big as tennis balls, devastated some regions. Harvest will be postponed at some places while at others, farmers count the losses.

Wheat: agro-business - it is an open factory under the sky

SOFIA. Because of the somewhat colder Spring this year, the vegetation of crops was somewhat belated. Moreover, unexpected rains right before harvest postponed harvest, as well. However, farmers could adapt to mild changes in weather conditions and manage such consequences without a problem! Yet, the unexpected hailstorms of the past few days, heavily hitting parts in west and central North regions, came as a bane for some of them. Subsequently, storms moved towards the east and central regions of the country, as for the time being, the Granary of Bulgaria has been spared. Some farmers estimated losses of as much as 50%; while a few stand close to 100%. Soon, the actual losses because of the recent hailstorms will become apparent.

Some farmers already sold out; others are in the midst of harvest

Right before the hailstorms, some farmers in the west and central North regions already harvested their fields, fulfilling their contracts with buyers. Those in the Northeast and the South regions are in the midst of harvest. Before harvest began, farmers in the North regions expected a stronger yield this season because of auspicious weather conditions during Spring, which brought sufficient rains and infused the necessary water reserves in the soil. Whether the recent hailstorms will change the picture for the worse remains to be seen. Anyhow, the quality of wheat will be impacted by the rains.

Currently, farmers of feed wheat persist in not selling below 0.140 EUR/kg EXW Bulgaria although buyers ask for prices as low as 0.128 EUR/kg.

Wheat, Bulgaria

Type

EUR/kg

milling wheat

0.145

feed wheat

0.140

EXW Bulgaria

Categories:

View related articles

Go to the News Overview
Grains
Oct 29, 2025
KYIV/DALIAN. Ukrainian farmers have harvested around 60% less millet than at this time last year. Shipments to the EU have also fallen by 24%.
Grains
Oct 29, 2025
DALIAN/MOSCOW. The availability of the new crop is stabilising supply on the Chinese market. Ukrainian farmers have still not completed the harvest. Russia's crop is expected to fall to a 20-year low.
Organic Commodities
Oct 15, 2025
BUENOS AIRES/NEW DELHI. Crop damage in South America is forcing buyers to look for alternative countries of origin. India appears to be the logical choice.
Grains
Oct 8, 2025
DALIAN/KYIV. In China, the new crop has recently become available on the market. Ukrainian farmers have completed more than 70% of the harvest. EU countries have more than doubled their buckwheat imports.