The agricultural area of Poland amounts to 18.4 million ha of which 14.1 million ha are arable and 4.1 million ha grassland. The arable area includes 8.8 million ha of cereals, 1.2 of potato and 0.3 of sugar beet. The cereal area includes 2.6 million ha of wheat, 2.1 of rye and 1.1 of barley.
In Poland there are over three million agricultural holdings. During the centrally planned period most farms remained in private hands but their average size, excluding plots of below one ha, is seven hectares. Today there are only 2 000 farms in the public sector but with an average size of 600 ha.
Most of the arable land is cropped with cereals. Yields tend to be lower than in western Europe. This is due partly to the natural conditions since unfertile and acid soils account for between 50 percent and 65 percent of the arable land in Poland. Also the climatic conditions are not optimum for agricultural production. The conditions in the eastern region are particularly difficult, with its large number of very small farms.
Poland has a long established fertilizer industry. When the domestic demand for fertilizers fell during the early 1990s some producers had to turn to exports to sell their products. The former distribution system of the centrally planned era collapsed and manufacturers had to become involved in organizing the distribution of their products.
The study provides information on the natural resource base for agriculture and the characteristics of each region, particularly as regards its agricultural suitability. The cropping in the different regions is examined. The production of mineral fertilizers and their consumption by region and by crop are described. The supply of nutrients through organic manures is considered. The prices of fertilizers and crops are given and the profitability of mineral fertilizer use is calculated. The results indicate that the profitability of fertilizer use is fairly good under present circumstances.
Calculations of the nutrient balances, i.e. inputs versus removal, are provided for each nutrient and by province. Despite the relatively low rates of use of fertilizers, the nutrient balances show surpluses or comparatively low deficiencies. This is explained by the generally low crop yields. The main deficiencies are in potash.
To ensure food self-sufficiency for the country, fertilizer nutrient application should be increased from the present level of 85 kg NPK per hectare to at least 130 kg/ha.
