The total harvest of Austrian field and greenhouse vegetables amounted to 674,300 tonnes, which was almost the same as the previous year's production (±0 % compared to 2021), with hardly any change in the area under cultivation. Optimal growing conditions in early summer and good climatic conditions in late autumn largely compensated for the losses caused by the late and the hot, dry summer. However, the latter was quite challenging for producers due to increased irrigation requirements.
The vegetable harvest amounted to 167,400 tonnes and was therefore slightly below the previous year (-1 % compared to 2021) despite the overall increase in acreage (+6 %). The production area for tomatoes fell by 3 % and the yield of 57,000 tonnes was correspondingly 5 % lower than in 2021. The harvest volume of cucumbers also fell significantly to 44,100 tonnes in the period under review (-8 % compared to 2021). Despite the reduction in area, cucumbers from protected cultivation accounted for just over three quarters of total cucumber production at 34,200 tonnes (-8 % compared to 2021). There was also a considerable 19 % reduction of peppers, mainly due to farm closures, which reduced production to 12,600 tonnes (-16 % compared to 2021).
Cabbage, leafy and stem vegetables
At 141,700 tonnes, cabbage, leafy and stem vegetables were slightly down on the previous year (-4 %). The cool spring weather delayed the physiological development of outdoor crops in particular. The higher temperatures in the summer months then led to faster growth, resulting in excess quantities in some cases (e.g. asparagus), which could not be sold and therefore remained in the field. September, which was often too cool, was compensated for by the long autumn season with exceptionally mild October weather. Irrigation requirements were also very high in this growing season.
Around 48,700 tonnes of lettuce were harvested (-5 % compared to 2021), exceeding the five-year average by 11 %. Cabbage, whose area under cultivation (mainly industrial cabbage) increased steadily again after the low in 2018, reached a harvest volume of 45,800 tonnes thanks to renewed production growth of 11 % compared to the previous year. Chinese cabbage, on the other hand, brought in an area-related drop of 16 % at 13,900 tonnes.
The spinach harvest fell comparatively sharply by -28 % compared to 2021, dropping to a record low of 8,500 tonnes, down 33 % on the five-year average. Asparagus, white remained at a weak yield level, but at 2,600 tonnes achieved higher production than in the previous year (+4 %).
Pulses, root vegetables and onions
The group of pulses, root vegetables and onions comprised a harvest volume of 365,200 tonnes, which was 2 % above the previous year's figure and well above the five-year average (+14 %). A similarly high yield of onions was achieved on an expanded area as in the previous year, resulting in a harvest of 174,800 tonnes, 16 % above the five-year average (+4 % compared to 2021). Carrot production remained largely stable compared to the previous year at 118,400 tonnes (+1%). The production volume of red beet rose to 9,600 tonnes in 2022 (+12% compared to 2021). The long-term trend for this crop is also deep black at +26 % compared to the 5-year average.
Source:AMA