The 2024 agricultural statistics from the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) reveal significant shifts in the cultivation patterns of various crops. The utilized agricultural area in Finland stands at nearly 2.3 million hectares, with about two million hectares dedicated to field cultivation, a slight reduction from the previous year. Of this, nearly half is devoted to cereal production, including barley, oats, rye, and wheat, while just under one million hectares are used for grass crops essential for livestock.
Barley, traditionally the most cultivated cereal in Finland, has seen a decrease of about ten percent, now covering approximately 360,000 hectares. Similarly, the area for winter wheat has declined by 18% from the previous year, with less than 60,000 hectares sown, marking a significant drop. Spring wheat cultivation has also decreased by about 4%, with winter wheat cultivation remaining most common in Southwest Finland.
Rye cultivation has experienced one of the most dramatic declines. Despite 20,000 hectares being sown last autumn, only around 17,000 hectares survived the winter. This area is nearly 40% smaller than the previous year and marks the lowest level since 2018. Over the past decade, rye cultivation areas have fluctuated between 17,000 and 38,000 hectares, indicating a volatile trend.
In stark contrast, oats cultivation has risen significantly, surpassing the area used for feed barley. Almost a third of Finland’s entire field area is now dedicated to barley and oats, reflecting a strategic shift towards crops that are more resilient and in higher demand. Triticale, primarily used as feed due to its high yield and resistance to drought and pests, has also seen a substantial increase, with its cultivation area nearly ten times that of the previous year, now approaching 9,000 hectares.
Additionally, niche crops have seen varied changes. Buckwheat was sown on about 2,000 hectares this spring, while other cereals like maize grew on approximately 2,500 hectares. The cultivation area for turnip rape has increased by 13%, whereas rapeseed, more suited to southern Finland, has decreased by the same margin.
The area dedicated to legumes like feed and food peas remains significant, though slightly reduced from the previous year, with nearly 40,000 hectares under cultivation. Most of these are feed peas, crucial for animal nutrition, potentially replacing soy or other foreign protein feeds. Garden peas and peas for human consumption are grown on more than 2,000 hectares, predominantly processed as frozen peas.
Sugar beet cultivation has surged by about a fifth, now covering approximately 15,000 hectares, primarily in Satakunta and Southwest Finland. Caraway cultivation has also increased substantially, reaching around 20,000 hectares. Conversely, the potato cultivation area has decreased by about 6%, concentrated mainly in the western coastal region.
The fallow area has expanded to 246,000 hectares, an increase of 21,000 hectares, with grasslands for green manure contributing most to this growth. This trend underscores a growing emphasis on sustainable farming practices and soil health.
The latest statistics from Luke highlight significant changes in Finland’s agricultural sector. While traditional staples like barley, rye, and winter wheat are on the decline, oats and triticale are rising, reflecting shifts in market demand and crop resilience. The increased fallow area and diversification into niche crops like turnip rape, sugar beet, and caraway indicate a broader strategy towards sustainability and adaptation to changing environmental conditions.
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