Austria’s grain harvest in 2024 was 6% lower than the previous year, totaling 4.86 million tons. This also represents an 8% drop compared to the ten-year average, according to Statistics Austria on Monday. The decline was primarily attributed to adverse weather conditions, including a dry spring and a wet autumn. Conversely, production of root crops such as sugar beets and potatoes is expected to rise by nearly a quarter (24%) to 4.04 million tons.

Excluding grain maize, the grain harvest totaled 2.8 million tons, marking a significant 9% decrease compared to both the previous year and the ten-year average. The wet autumn hampered the planting of winter crops, leading to a reduction in their cultivation area in favor of spring and autumn crops, the statisticians reported. The initially warm and dry spring resulted in reduced tillering, or the formation of side shoots, for spring and autumn crops. However, abundant rainfall from late April contributed to good grain filling.

Lower Wheat and Rye Harvests Compared to 2023

The wheat harvest amounted to 1.56 million tons, 9% less than in 2023 and 5% below the ten-year average. Rye production saw a steep decline due to a 16% reduction in cultivation area compared to 2023 and low yields. Production fell to a record low of 127,900 tons, a 27% drop from the previous year. Grain maize production was also affected by unfavorable market conditions and heat and drought during the sensitive flowering phase, resulting in a 2% decrease in cultivation area and a production decline to 2.06 million tons (down 2% from 2023 and 5% below the ten-year average).

Strong Growth in Root Crop Production

Root crops fared better, with sugar beet cultivation expanding significantly (an additional 7,300 hectares). This is expected to result in a harvest exceeding not only the previous year’s levels but also the ten-year average by 14%. Current estimates suggest the sugar beet harvest will reach 3.35 million tons, a 25% increase from the previous year, although the sugar content is expected to be low due to the wet autumn. Potato cultivation also saw an increase in area (up 6% compared to 2023), with the harvest volume rising by 17% year-on-year to 693,600 tons.