Germany: 12 percent bigger yield of fresh peas

In Saxony, about 59,900 tons of vegetables were harvested in the open air in 2005 and just under 3,500 tons from beneath high, walk-in protective covers, including greenhouses. As reported by the State Statistical Office, the harvest volume increased by 6,700 tonnes (12%) compared to the previous year, with a 6% increase in acreage.

The cultivated area amounted to 4,246 hectares. The most important type of crop is the fresh pea, grown on 2,434 hectares. Thus, Saxony is the most important producer of this vegetable, with a share of 44 percent in the German acreage.

The biggest harvest brought in was the 23,200 tons of onions. This corresponds to a share of 39 percent of the Saxon vegetable harvest in the field. Further large quantities of fresh peas (13,300 tonnes), white cabbage (3,800 tonnes), bush beans (3,700 tonnes) and spinach (3,400 tonnes) were added. With 1,844 hectares, 43.4 percent of the Saxon outdoor vegetable areas are located in Meissen.

Further large acreages can be found in the rural districts of Leipzig (800 hectares), Mittelsachsen (700 hectares) and Northern Saxony (640 hectares). 92 farms had 28.8 hectares under cultivation under high walk-in protective covers, including greenhouses. The most important vegetables here were cucumbers with a yield of 2,200 tons and tomatoes with 1,040 tons. In Germany, around 3.77 million tonnes of vegetables were harvested outdoors in 2017 and 182 100 tonnes under high walk-in protective covers.

Source: Statistisches Landesamt Sachsen