Czech vegetable area increased by 8% in 2014

The vegetable area in the Czech Republic in 2014 is around 8% higher at 9,211 hectares than it was last year, shows a first estimate by the Czech Bureau for Statistics (CZSO). However, the area of some vegetable varieties decreased, reports the German Agrarmarkt Informations-Gesellschaft (AMI) on its website.

The main variety in Czech vegetable cultivation is the onion. The area of it, as in many other European countries, was extended in 2014. At 1,730 hectares the onion area is around 13% larger this year. The cultivation area of red and white cabbage grew by 4% to 1,139 hectares. For peas the cultivation area decreased. The area this year is around 6% smaller than in 2013, at 1,103 hectares. The area of carrots grew by 16% to 691 hectares. Other varieties which increased significantly were celery, parsley, radish, cucumber and garlic. Kohlrabi and tomatoes were the only vegetables besides onions which decreased in cultivation area.

In the long term the vegetable area in the Czech Republic has decreased by almost 30% over the last ten years. However, the development over the last three years was positive again. Despite this, the Czech Republic imported vegetables in larger amounts once again. In 2013 the import amount increased to 571,000 tonnes. This was 7% more than in the previous year. The export (including re-export) decreased slightly to 92,000 tonnes. This means the trade balance for vegetables has reached a record deficit.