A total of 145,400 tonnes of fruit were harvested across Austria this year. Lower Austria accounted for around 30,900 tonnes. According to Statistik Austria, the country as a whole saw the second-lowest result of the past ten years. Compared to the previous year, fruit production across Austria fell by 24 per cent. In Lower Austria, however, the total amount of fruit harvested increased compared to the previous year. In 2023, a total of almost 27,500 tonnes of fruit were harvested; this year the figure was around 30,900 tonnes.
Severe losses in Styria
The sharp decline across the country is mainly due to this year's apple harvest in Styria. Last year, almost three-quarters of all apples harvested came from Styria; this year it was 61 per cent. This year, 63,000 tonnes of apples were harvested in Styria, compared to 116,000 tonnes last year. One important reason for this clear decline is the late frosts that occurred in Styria. According to Statistics Austria, the stone fruit and berry fruit harvest was less affected by unfavourable weather conditions this year and was even above average. For almost all types of fruit, the high summer temperatures led to unusually early harvests.
Lower Austria: increase in apple and stone fruit harvest
If you look at the harvest volumes of the individual fruit varieties in Lower Austria compared to the previous year, it quickly becomes clear that they have increased for most varieties. Last year, 13,900 tonnes of apples were harvested in Lower Austria; this year the figure was 15,600. There has also been a significant increase in the harvest volumes of apricots (3,100 tonnes this year, 2,500 tonnes last year), plums (480 tonnes this year, almost 200 tonnes last year) and peaches and nectarines (420 tonnes this year, 210 tonnes last year). The harvests of pears (around 2,500 tonnes), cherries (around 850 tonnes) and strawberries (around 7,000 tonnes) have not changed significantly compared to the previous year.
Source: Statistik Austria