19 Percent Less Grain Than Last Year Expected in Austria

Austrian farmers are bracing for a significantly reduced grain harvest this year, with the Agrarmarkt Austria (AMA) reporting an expected 19% decrease compared to the previous year. The total grain yield, excluding corn, is projected at 2.5 million tons. While this quantity is deemed sufficient for bread and baked goods, it falls considerably short of last year's production and is 14.4% below the five-year average. The primary culprit is extreme drought and heat, which have severely stressed crops across the country. In some areas, wheat yields have plummeted by as much as 50%, according to AMA chief Günter Griesmayr.

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sufficient for the production of bread, flour and baked goods

The situation is dire for other crops as well. The AMA anticipates a below-average harvest for corn, which is still in the fields. Farmers are expressing "great concern" over the yields of potatoes, pumpkins, corn, soybeans, and sugar beets. The persistent dryness means that corn is not developing cobs properly and is being processed into silage for animal feed. Pumpkins, potatoes, and soybeans are also suffering immensely. Only the sugar beet crop holds a slim hope of recovery if sufficient rain falls in August, but for other crops, the damage is considered irreversible.

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In some areas, the yield reduction for wheat could be up to 50 percent

Lorenz Mayr, designated head of the Lower Austrian Chamber of Agriculture and AMA administrative board chairman, highlighted the financial strain on farmers. The production cost for wheat stands at 300 euros per ton, while current market prices have fallen to 221 euros per ton on the Paris commodity exchange, making it an unprofitable venture. Mayr stressed the urgent need for wheat prices to increase. He recalled a brief spike to nearly 440 euros per ton at the start of the Ukraine war, a stark contrast to the current economic reality for producers.

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sufficient quantities for the production of bread, flour and baked goods are available

The "Wiener Zucker" producer Agrana is still hopeful for sugar beet growth, but acknowledges that the drought will lead to lower yields. The final impact will depend heavily on August rainfall. The full financial extent of the drought damage to Austria's agriculture is yet to be quantified by the agricultural insurer Hagelversicherung, which plans to release initial figures soon. The AMA's overall grain production forecast, including corn, projects 4.5 million tons, an 18.4% decrease from last year and 12.2% below the five-year average, though this figure carries a significant degree of uncertainty due to the ongoing weather conditions.

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The quality of the harvested bread grain is particularly pleasing