FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 04/02 - BULGARIA (3 April)
Predominantly dry conditions persist for the second year in succession. Despite adequate snow cover in December and early January, and heavy rains in mid-March, subsoil moisture in late March was reported to be below the previous year’s already low level. Combined with the dry conditions, unusually warm temperatures have been recorded since the second half of January, reducing the hardiness of the winter crops and thus rendering them vulnerable should there be a late cold spell. The area sown to winter grains (mostly wheat and barley) last autumn is officially reported to have increased by about 5 percent but planting was late in many parts and carried out under predominantly dry conditions, as in the preceding year. Although the condition of these crops is reported as satisfactory in late March more rain is needed for vegetative growth in the coming weeks. Wheat output is expected to remain similar to last year’s level. Early indications for spring planting point to a reduction in the maize area in response to the ongoing drought and the poor performance of the crop in the past two years. Land will likely be shifted to producing drought-hardier non-cereals such as sunflower.