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🇮🇸 Iceland /Economy & Trade

A Cheerful Harvest Season in the Countryside

From Morgunblaðið · () Icelandic

Translated from Icelandic and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Farmers in southern Iceland have begun harvesting after a strong summer, with one carrot grower expecting about 100 tonnes from 3.5 hectares.
  • Local students and neighboring farmers help with seasonal work, while demand for the carrots remains strong.
  • Potato growers report mixed prospects, with frost damaging some crops but warmer late-summer weather supporting growth in others.

Harvest work is getting under way across southern Iceland after a summer that farmers describe as vigorous and favorable. At Böðmóðsstaðir in Laugardalur, Bláskógabyggð, Styrmir Snær Jónsson has 3.5 hectares devoted to carrots and expects to bring in about 100 tonnes.

“August was particularly good, with temperatures and rainfall in the right balance, so I expect the harvest to be good,” Styrmir says. Powerful machinery makes lifting the carrots easier, but the farms still need plenty of people. Secondary-school students from Laugarvatn sometimes arrive after classes to take on temporary work, while people from nearby farms also lend a hand when they can. In the countryside, everyone helps everyone else.

August was particularly good, with temperatures and rainfall in the right balance, so I expect the harvest to be good.

· Styrmir Snær JónssonThe carrot grower discusses the summer weather and his expectations for the harvest.

Styrmir says it is an enjoyable and busy season, and that the market is receiving the crop well. He sells his carrots to Banana and Innnes, which distribute them to shops. He also grows potatoes, but the outlook there is considerably worse. Frosty nights have knocked down the potato plants, leaving the harvest smaller than expected.

It is always an enjoyable time and there is plenty to do. It is also good that the market is receiving the harvest well.

· Styrmir Snær JónssonHe describes the harvest season and demand for his carrots.

At Forsæti, beside the Þjórsá river, Andri Þór Erlingsson and Hulda Kristjánsdóttir farm about 20 hectares of potatoes. They took over the operation from Hulda’s parents in 2024. After harvesting in small batches throughout August, they are now moving into the main harvest period. Andri Þór expects a reasonably average crop after a cool first half of summer and a strong growth spurt later on.

Gullauga and red Icelandic potatoes usually perform and sell best at Forsæti. The farmers have also been testing the Milva and Solist varieties, which have produced good results. Most of the crop goes to market through the Association of Horticultural Farmers, alongside a small amount of direct sales to people from Selfoss who make trips to the countryside for potatoes.

The harvest could end up close to what would be considered a decent average year.

· Andri Þór ErlingssonThe potato farmer assesses prospects after a cool start to the growing season.
About this summary

Originally published by Morgunblaðið in Icelandic. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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