Last year, Thuringian agricultural enterprises harvested a total of 11,211 tons of open-field vegetables from 588 hectares. According to the Thuringian State Office for Statistics, this was 2,379 tons or 18 percent less vegetables compared to the previous year. The total cultivation area decreased by 95 hectares or 14 percent from the year 2022. Since 2016 (964 hectares), the area of open-field vegetables in Thuringia has decreased by more than a third (39 percent).
The three most significant vegetable varieties in Thuringia are asparagus (yield-bearing), onions, and white cabbage. These vegetables are cultivated on three-quarters (75 percent) of the total vegetable area.
For the yield-bearing asparagus cultivation area, there was a slight decrease of two hectares or 1 percent compared to the previous year. Both the yield of six tons per hectare (-0.4 tons per hectare or -7 percent) and the total asparagus harvest of 1,528 tons (-121 tons or -7 percent) were slightly below the previous year's values. Contrary to the declining trend in most vegetable varieties, more table onions were cultivated last year. The cultivation area was expanded by 11 hectares or 10 percent to a total of 115 hectares compared to 2022. The yield per hectare was significantly higher at 31 tons, far exceeding the (very low) harvest result of the previous year. Compared to the previous period, a yield increase of 13 tons per hectare or 74 percent was achieved. The total harvest amounted to 3,598 tons, which is almost a doubling (+1,722 tons or +92 percent) of the harvest volume compared to the previous year.
For white cabbage, the cultivation area was significantly reduced compared to 2022. A decline of more than a third (-36 hectares or -35 percent) was registered. Per hectare, 61 tons of the vegetable were harvested. Compared to 2022, this represents a decrease of 15 tons per hectare or 20 percent. The harvest volume amounted to 4,039 tons. This was 3,708 tons or 48 percent less white cabbage than in the previous year.
Source: Statistical Office of Thuringia