Storms and hailstorms swept across parts of Austria last weekend, including the two growing regions of Burgenland and Marchfeld (Lower Austria). Österreichische Hagelversicherung has already estimated the total damage to Austrian agriculture at around 1.9 million euros. A survey shows that the increasing extreme weather conditions are also causing growing concern for regional fruit and vegetable growers.
Marchfeld: Storms following flood disaster
The Marchfeld region, east of the Austrian capital Vienna, is one of the country's most important growing areas. Here, too, there were gusts of wind in some places. "The storms were fairly widespread, but overall, we got off lightly. Nevertheless, there has also been minor damage to some of our pea fields," reports Barbara Kargl, managing director of Schneider's Gemüseland Landesproduktenhandels GesmbH, based in Groß-Enzersdorf.
The increasing weather capriciousness is hitting outdoor vegetable cultivation hard, Kargl confirms. "The flood disaster in September last year is still fresh in everyone's memory (FreshPlaza reported). The weather is generally becoming more extreme, which poses major challenges for us. We are forced to think about preventive solutions in terms of crop protection and the like."
© Österreichische Hagel /H. Knöbl
Damaged orchard in southern Burgenland.
Relief in Styria and northern Burgenland, serious damage in southern Burgenland
Although the storm began in Sebersdorf in eastern Styria, the Styrian core fruit industry got off lightly, according to the OPST Group and the Meleco organic cooperative. Northern Burgenland was also largely spared from weather damage. However, the damage is all the greater in southern Burgenland, reports Herbert Knöbl, fruit grower in Neudauberg – just a stone's throw away from the damage area – and contact person for Österreichische Hagelversicherung in southern Burgenland. "The hailstorms hit the municipality of Kukmirn particularly hard, where strawberries, plums, and apricots were completely destroyed in some cases. Unlike other years, frost damage is not an issue this year. Many were therefore expecting a good harvest, which makes this hailstorm particularly devastating for the affected farms."
© Österreichische Hagel /H. Knöbl
Both strawberries (l) and stone fruit crops have suffered serious hail damage.
The critical phase has become much longer over the past three decades, according to Knöbl, who has a long career in hail insurance. "Before the turn of the century, severe weather events mainly occurred in the summer, i.e., from June to August. Now, it sometimes starts as early as April and doesn't end until the end of September. From the producer's perspective, the risk window has therefore become much longer. At the same time, almost all fruit crops are ripening earlier and earlier: on my own farm, Golden Delicious apples are in full bloom about two weeks earlier than they were 10–20 years ago." When it comes to hail protection in particular, Austrian fruit growers rely on roofing solutions and so-called hail planes, which ensure that the hailstones are much smaller and cause less damage.
© Österreichische Hagel /H. Knöbl
The wet and cold weather also contributes to increased disease pressure in the form of monilia (stone fruit) and scab (apples).
