Franz Sinabell, a horticultural expert of the Austrian Institute for Economic Research, (WIFO) confirmed on radio ORF Ö1 that high energy prices have brought vegetable cultivation to a halt in Austria.
"I think that all over Europe many horticultural companies have probably come to the conclusion that producing vegetables is not worthwhile, that it is more profitable to sell the gas to energy companies that can produce electricity with it. As a result, vegetables are scarcer in winter and therefore more expensive,” Sinabell stated. "Southern European countries, such as Spain, are compensating for this lack of production"
Energy prices will also affect next spring's season. According to Martin Flicker, vegetable grower and vice president of the Viennese Chamber of Agriculture, this will probably start later. "In summer we'll probably have a surplus, as has happened in the past," he added.
Source: ORF radio Ö1 via Austrian media/ aenverde.es