Statistics Estonia and the Estonian Agricultural Registers and Information Board (ARIB) reported a slight reduction in agricultural land, totaling 983,400 hectares in 2024, marking a decrease of 4,400 hectares from the previous year. The decline encompasses arable land and areas designated for fruit and berry plantations. Notably, the land allocated for potato cultivation has seen an 8 percent reduction, continuing a long-term downward trend. Ege Kirs, a leading analyst at Statistics Estonia, highlighted the significant reduction in potato farming, with the current cultivation area being 3,200 hectares, a stark contrast to the 6,300 hectares and 20 years ago, when it was five times larger.
Legumes have expanded to 60,500 hectares, up 13 percent, marking the largest area in seven years. Conversely, the cultivation of rape and turnip rape decreased by 21 percent to 60,200 hectares, primarily due to reduced winter varieties.
Source: news.err.ee