High yield of maize for grain (10.4 t/ha) and for silage (51.3 t/ha) expected

The expected average yield of maize for grain (10.4 tons per hectare) a quarter above the last ten-year average
Summer without major heat waves and with enough rainfall, had a favourable effect on maize. In 2020, maize was sown on 67,638 hectares of arable land, of which almost 40,000 hectares will be harvested for grains. The expected average yield is 10.4 tons per hectare, which is 12% higher than in 2019 and 25% higher than the last ten-year average. The average yield of maize for grain for the last ten years (2010-2019) was 8.3 tons per hectare, which is almost a fifth (19%) more than the average yield of the previous ten years (2000-2009), when it was 7 t/ha.
Silage maize is also expected to yield abundantly. The expected average yield of green mass is 51.3 tons per hectare, which is the most since we started to monitor yields in Slovenia. Total output of silage maize is expected to be 1,425,383 tons of green mass, or 5% higher than in the previous year, although it was sown on a smaller area (by 3%).

Area sown with late potato 4% larger than in 2019, expected average yield higher by a quarter
This year late potato was sown on 2,407 hectares of arable land, which is a 4% larger area than in 2019. According to the yield forecast as of 5 September 2020, potato yield is supposed to be excellent. The expected average yield of 30.9 tons per hectare is higher by a quarter than in 2019 and by 21% than the last ten-year average. Total output of 74,458 tons of potatoes is expected.
Sugar beet will also yield abundantly, on average 60.6 tons per hectare. Since it was sown on almost 40% smaller area than in 2019, the total output is expected to be lighter (6,824 tons).

Hop producers in Slovenia are expected to harvest more hop cones than in 2019
This year Slovene hop producers were growing hops on 1,489 hectares of hop fields, which is an 8% smaller area than in 2019. Nevertheless, the total output is expected to be heavier. On average 1.8 tons per hectare is expected, in total 2,639 tons. Average yield is by 13% higher than in the previous year and by 20% higher compared to the last ten-year average.

Compared to 2019, sunflowers with the highest yield among the late oilseed crops
Compared to 2019, the average yield of sunflowers is higher by 13%. In total, 962 tons of sunflower kernels are expected from 354 hectares, or 2.7 tons per hectare. Soya is expected to yield slightly worse (by 3%) than in 2019. The total output of 4,836 tons is expected to be heavier than in 2019 due to larger area sown. Total output of oil pumpkin seeds is expected to be 2,654 tons, which is comparable to 2019. The average yield of dried pumpkin seeds is expected to be 0.6 tons per hectare, the same as the average of the last ten years.

Abundant harvests of apples and pears are expected in orchard plantations
After last year's average fruit harvest, yields in orchard plantations are expected to be higher this year. According to the yield forecast as of 5 September 2020, 68,993 tons of apples and 4,822 tons of pears are expected to be harvested from orchard plantations. Apples are expected to yield on average 31.6 tons per hectare, or by almost quarter better compared to the last ten-year average. Pears should yield excellent, with average yield of 21.3 tons per hectare, which is 53% larger compared to last year's poor yield of 13.9 tons per hectare.
Blueberries are expected to yield 6.2 tons per hectare on average. On 63 hectares, the total output of almost 390 tons is expected. Raspberries are expected to yield 5.1 tons per hectare, or 18% less than in 2019.

Extensive orchards are full of fruits
After last year's poor harvest of fruit in extensive orchards, this year's alternating fertility was expressed in all its glory. Trees are sagging with the weight of the fruit, especially apples, pears and plums. Total output of 42,747 tons of apples, or 60.7 kilograms per tree is expected, which is four times better than last year. Similar is observed by pears; 9,091 tons of pears are expected to be harvested. Plums are expected to yield on average 20.8 kilograms per tree, or in total 6,696 tons from 321,992 trees.

White grape varieties are expected to yield better than red varieties
In 2020, Slovene winegrowers should produce around 106,150 tons of grape on 15,300 hectares. The expected average yield of white grape varieties is 7.1 tons per hectare, which is 3% higher than last year. The total output of white grape varieties should weigh around 75,290 tons. Red varieties are expected to yield less than white varieties. According to the yield forecast as of 5 September 2020, total output of 30,852 tons of red varieties will be harvested, on average 6.6 tons per hectare.