Austria fruit and vegetable harvests fall after drought

Austria's fruit and vegetable harvests have fallen by 30 percent and 40 percent respectively this year after prolonged summer heat and drought, the Chamber of Agriculture said Friday.

The chamber said onions and carrots are down 25 percent from the previous year, while some crops, including white cabbage, are down as much as 50 percent in certain regions. Apple harvesting is still under way but is expected to be about 35 percent lower.

National weather service GeoSphere Austria said Austria had its hottest summer since records began, with temperatures averaging 2.6 degrees Celsius above the 1991-2020 average. Rainfall was about one-third below average nationwide.

Authorities reported widespread low groundwater levels and reduced river flows, while farming groups said drought and heat damaged crops across the country.

Josef Moosbrugger, president of the Chamber of Agriculture, said the weak harvest showed fruit and vegetable production was suffering from the effects of climate change. He called for investment in water infrastructure and measures to fight climate change.

The APA news agency, citing Agrarmarkt Austria figures, reported that drought also caused a shortage of animal feed and a rise in animals sent to slaughterhouses in August compared with the previous year.