In the German state of Lower Saxony, farmers increased their vegetable harvest last year. According to the State Office for Statistics in Hannover, it was 13.2 percent higher than in 2023. A total of 900 agricultural businesses produced 757,145 metric tons of vegetables on a cultivation area of 24,500 hectares.
The size of the vegetable-growing area in Lower Saxony grew by 10.9 percent year-on-year. Despite weather-related disadvantages, the harvest increased, which, according to the state office, was due to the larger areas and cultivation under glass.
Asparagus cultivation declining
Asparagus cultivation in Lower Saxony declined: the acreage of 4,020 hectares was 7.9 percent smaller than in 2023. The harvest volume was 22,625 metric tons, which was 0.6 percent lower than in the previous year.
On the other hand, the cultivation area for onions increased: the area grew by 26.9 percent to 5,498 hectares, and the harvest increased by 16.8 percent to 252,122 metric tons compared to 2023. Carrots increased by 7.6 percent to 153,487 metric tons, grown on an area of 2,219 hectares.
More kale
The area under cultivation for kale rose again last year to 383 hectares (2023: 344 hectares). The 2024 harvest, at 7,177 metric tons, was even higher than the 2022 harvest, at 6,354 metric tons.
The cultivation area for vegetables in greenhouses grew by around 11 percent in 2024; the harvest increased by as much as 20.9 percent to 37,553 metric tons. Of this, 68.4 percent were cucumbers (25,691 metric tons), 25.5 percent tomatoes (9,580 metric tons), and 4.0 percent peppers (1,502 metric tons). The remaining quantity was accounted for by lettuce, radishes, and other vegetables harvested under high walkable protective covers.
Increase in organic farming area
According to the State Statistical Office, the area of open-field cultivation in organic farming increased by 15.4 percent to 2,611 hectares last year, cultivated by 196 farms. The harvest of organic vegetables in the open field rose by 21.2 percent to 81,918 metric tons in 2024 compared to 2023.
Source: Statistik Niedersachsen