According to the Thuringian State Office for Statistics, Thuringia's farms growing vegetables harvested a total of 13,590 tons of open ground vegetables from 683 hectares last year. Compared to the previous year, this was 2,900 tons or 18 percent less vegetables. The total area under cultivation decreased by 27 hectares, or 4 percent, compared to 2021. Since 2016 (964 hectares), Thuringia's open ground vegetable area has thus decreased by more than a quarter (-29 percent).
The four most important vegetables in Thuringia again were: asparagus (in yield), onions, white cabbage and cauliflower. These vegetable species were grown on more than three quarters
(76 percent) of the total vegetable area. In general, field-grown vegetables suffered from renewed dry conditions in 2022, which was particularly reflected in the yields achieved for onions and cauliflower.
The asparagus acreage was down 7 acres, or 3 percent, from the previous year. Both the yield achieved of 6 tons per hectare (-0.3 tons per hectare or -5 percent) and the total asparagus harvest of 1,649 tons (-132 tons or -7 percent) were slightly below the previous year's figures.
Sharp decline in yields of table onions
The area under onions decreased by 11 hectares, or 9 percent, to a total of 105 hectares. The yield per hectare of 18 metric tons was well below the previous year's harvest. Only about half as many onions were harvested compared to the same period last year (-21 tons per hectare or -54 percent). The total harvest volume amounted to 1,877 tons. Compared with the previous year, this was 2,610 tons or 58 percent fewer onions for consumption.
The cauliflower acreage decreased by almost one-fifth (-12 hectares or -19 percent) compared to the reporting year and totaled 49 hectares in 2022. The yield per hectare of 12 tons was down by a third (-6 tons per hectare or -33 percent) on the previous year. The harvest volume amounted to 615 tons. Compared with the previous year, it was down by 526 tons or 46 percent. In the case of white cabbage, a slight increase of 2 hectares or 2 percent was registered in the area under cultivation compared with 2021. Per hectare, 76 tons of the vegetable could be harvested. Compared to 2021, this represents an increase of 5 tons per hectare or 8 percent. The quantity harvested was 7,747 tons. This was 671 tons or 9 percent more than the previous year.
For more information:
Statistik Thüringen