The Austrian fruit harvest from commercial orchards in 2022 was far more satisfactory than in previous years despite periods of drought. After two smaller harvests, an above-average harvest of 244,300 tonnes and +26% compared to the previous year was recorded for the first time again. Most of the fruit varieties recorded produced above-average yields.
© AMA
Pome fruit
In the case of apples, a good fruit set initially promised a record harvest, but this was relativised by a lack of rainfall in the summer months. In Lower Austria, late frost once again caused problems for apricot growers and hail caused greater losses than in cherry cultivation, for example.
Pome fruit production amounted to 202,500 tonnes in 2022, up 27% on the previous year. Good blossom set, low late frost impact and optimal weather in early summer led to corresponding yields. Apple production reached 190,600 tonnes (+25 % compared to 2021). At 11,900 tonnes, pear production was also well above the previous three years' harvests (+54 % on 2021).
Stone fruit
For once, stone fruit production, which is endangered every year by climate change and frost, was quite satisfactory. At 11,100 tonnes, this exceeded the previous year's figure by 28%. At 4,600 tonnes, the apricot harvest was higher than in 2021 (+5%). Cherries and sour cherries were produced 65 % more than in the weak previous year, with a harvest volume of 2,600 tonnes (+31 % compared to the 5-year average).
There were also significantly more plums than in the previous year, at 2,200 tonnes (+28%). Peaches and nectarines saw a juicy year-on-year increase of 67% (1,600 tonnes). A soft fruit harvest of 23,100 tonnes was recorded, which was 19% higher than the previous year's production.
Soft fruit
Strawberry production in 2022 amounted to a pleasing 16,900 tonnes (+19 % compared to 2021)). The fruit was mainly grown in Lower Austria, Upper Austria and Styria. Red currants, which mainly came from Styrian production, also achieved a record harvest volume of 1,900 tonnes (+20 % on 2021) and blueberries also achieved their highest value since 2009 with 2,100 tonnes, mainly from Styrian cultivation (+18 % on 2021). An area of over 220 ha has already been cultivated thanks to continuous expansion.
Raspberry production remained largely constant year-on-year at 700 tonnes (±0 %). Elderberries, whose fruit is primarily used for processing, yielded 5,600 tonnes (+16 % compared to 2021). However, yield losses due to the drought prevented a higher yield. Production has been reduced for years due to sustainable area reduction. (- 22 % compared to 5-year average)
Source:AMA
