Austria's organic farming is booming

Two thirds of the area is grassland

Organic cultivation in Austria again increased significantly in 2003. The area under cultivation reached 326.700 hectares, which corresponded to an increase of a good ten percent compared to the previous year. The number of organic farms increased by 869 to 18.760; it grew less strongly than the area. As a result, the average organic area per farm increased from 16,6 hectares in 2002 to 17,4 hectares in 2003.

The area of ​​organic arable farming in Austria increased at an above-average rate of 30 percent last year, and here in turn the area of ​​protein crops (grain legumes) and oilseeds grew in particular, expanding by 47 percent and 44 percent respectively. The acreage of grain increased by 32 percent and that of corn – silo, green, grain and corn-cob mix – by almost 26 percent. Grassland cultivation remained relatively stable, but accounts for two-thirds of the total organic area. The very small-scale cultivation of potatoes is striking. On average, organic farms growing potatoes use only 0,7 hectares for this crop. Altogether in 2003 there were 2.114 hectares of potatoes.

A total of 1.635 hectares are used for organic fruit growing. After the strong increase in 2002, the area increased by a further seven percent last year. Field vegetable cultivation grew very moderately at 2003 percent in 4,5, following a plus of 39 percent in this segment the year before. Fruit and vegetable cultivation is also structured on a rather small scale with an average of 1,6 hectares and 2,4 hectares per farm.

Source: Bonn [ZmP]