Rye production

Rye is a relatively rare and exotic crop. Only about 1.5 % of all cereal grain crops in the world are rye. One third of this is used for human food, while the rest ends up as animal feed and seed. Rye is a specialty of northern latitudes. Nearly 95 % of the global production takes place in the northern part of the area between the Ural Mountains and the Nordic Sea. In the food culture of these areas rye has long traditions.

Rye has low requirements regarding soil and fertilization, as well as relatively good overwintering ability. Therefore, rye has gained popularity especially in areas with relatively poor soils such as the wide sandy ridges in Poland and some areas in Germany. The Nordic countries are relatively small rye producers, and the yearly production fluctuates depending on the weather conditions at the time of sowing and, to some extent, on overwintering conditions.

                                                                Source: FAO Internet