The ceremonial three-day harvest of the Vrkoč pond near Ivaň in the Brno area began on 30 October 2026 and lasted until Sunday 1 November [1][2]. The pond belongs to Rybníkářství Pohořelice and is one of the three largest company ponds in which market fish are raised. The other two, from which fish are harvested in autumn, are the neighbouring Novoveský pond and the Dolní Jaroslavický pond on the Thaya in the Znojmo area [1][2].
Harvest results and drought
Rybníkářství Pohořelice was to supply the pre-Christmas market with the same quantity of carp as in previous years, around 600 tonnes. Because of the drought, however, the fish did not gain as much weight as would be desirable, said the company's director Ivan Šútovský [1][2]. According to him, many of the smaller ponds in which stocking fish are raised were left dry, and the company had to harvest some of them early. About fifty hectares of water surface are, in his words, critically threatened, with production there falling to zero. The harvest of market fish is expected to be about ten percent lower than last year [1][2]. Šútovský expects that the drought may show in weaker production next year and the year after as well [1].
Prices and the market
At the harvest, a kilogram of first-class carp cost 120 crowns, and selected carp was ten crowns more expensive. The price of carp is to rise by several percent this year because of rising costs. The price on the pre-Christmas market will also depend on the prices set by retailers [1][2]. Those interested could buy a carp or grass carp straight from the tank over the weekend [2]. Šútovský said that interest in live fish is falling while interest in processed, chilled and frozen fish is growing, and the company therefore invested last year in expanding its processing plant [1][2].
The Vrkoč pond
The Vrkoč pond was founded in 1552 and covers 156 hectares. It is the second largest in the system of the Pohořelice ponds [2].
Sources
- Brněnská Drbna — 30 October 2026
- iDNES.cz: Brno — 2 November 2026