Volume: 5, 2026
5th International PhD Students’ Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: P024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL5.P024
Published online: 22 April 2026
Economic results of winter barley cultivation
Rafał Wnuczek* and Anna Nowak
Department of Economics and Agribusiness, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 13 Akademicka St., 20-950 Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: rafal.wnuczek@up.edu.pl
Winter barley is increasingly being chosen as a crop in crop rotation due to its lower production costs and labor requirements compared to winter wheat. It can yield at a level comparable to wheat, although not always consistently. The aim of this study was to assess the economic performance of winter barley cultivation under conditions of fluctuating grain market prices. This allows for the optimization of crop rotation in order to maximize income on farms specializing in cereal production. The case study method was used in this research. The analysis was based on data from a farm located in the Lublin Voivodeship. The study covered the years 2024–2025. Selected economic indicators, calculated in accordance with the AGROKOSZTY methodology (Agricultural Product Data Collection System), were used to achieve the research objective.
The results showed significant variability in winter barley yields. During the analyzed period, yields increased from 5.5 t/ha in 2024 to 8.5 t/ha in 2025, which had a key impact on improving economic results. Income with subsidies increased from PLN 2,595.09/ha to PLN 4,183.31/ha, while income without subsidies rose from PLN 1,684.41/ha to PLN 3,306.30/ha. At the same time, a decrease in the grain purchase price by PLN 130/t was observed, which was a significant factor limiting production profitability. Cost analysis showed a decrease from PLN 2,825.58/ha in 2024 to PLN 2,643.70/ha in 2025, mainly due to reductions in mineral fertilizer prices. In the cost structure, mineral fertilization dominated (approx. 40%), followed by plant protection (approx. 20%) and fuel (approx. 19%). Despite the decrease in production costs in 2025, the reduction was not sufficient to offset the lower purchase prices. The profitability index increased from 159.61% in 2024 to 225.06% in 2025, indicating a significant improvement in profitability under higher yield conditions. At the same time, the share of subsidies in income decreased from 30.31% to 18.00%. In the case of low-productivity crops, subsidies remain an important factor increasing farm income, whereas in intensive, high-yielding crops, their share is significantly lower. The analysis demonstrated that winter barley can be a profitable crop; however, economic results remain strongly dependent on weather conditions and market price fluctuations.
Keywords: economic efficiency; grain market; income; profitability; production costs
How to cite
Wnuczek R., Nowak A., 2026. Economic results of winter barley cultivation. In: 5th International PhD Students’ Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL5.P024