The potato area in Germany this season will remain almost the same as last season. At least that is what the German statistical office Destatis expects on the basis of the first estimate published today (Friday 19 May). The major shifts in German arable farming are in the cereal sector.
According to Destatis, German arable farmers are planting 2023 hectares of potatoes for the 267.000 harvest. That is 0,2% more than last year and therefore not a significant shift. In the root crop category, the sugar beet area shows greater growth. Of this, the cultivated area increases by 0,5% to 398.200 hectares.
Almost half less spring wheat
With 2,85 million hectares, winter wheat is the largest crop in our eastern neighbors. Incidentally, the winter wheat area has shrunk by 1,4% compared to last season. A total of 5,04 million hectares of winter grain is grown in Germany. The area of spring wheat has shrunk by 45% to 28.800 hectares. Less spring barley, oats and grain maize have also been sown. The area of rapeseed has increased significantly, by 7,6% to 1,16 million hectares.