VIENNA / RankWire.AI / – Austria is experiencing severe setbacks in its autumn harvest due to an extended period of drought combined with unprecedented summer temperatures, which have significantly impacted key crop yields. The Austrian Chamber of Agriculture reports that potato production is now estimated to be 50% to 70% below the five-year average. Chamber president Josef Moosbrugger commented that the losses during the autumn harvest are more extensive than initially predicted.
This harvest comes after one of Austria’s driest periods since official weather records began. According to GeoSphere Austria, the 12 months ending in July marked the driest span since records started in 1850. Between January 1 and August 12, most regions experienced an exceptionally high number of dry days. Especially in the eastern agricultural zones, rainfall deficits during crucial crop development phases were among the largest recorded.
Expected maize yields could total around 1.5 million tonnes or less, a significant decrease from over 2.5 million tonnes produced last year. Regional assessments indicate maize yield reductions between approximately 35% and 50%. The latest estimates place soybean production at nearly 125,000 tonnes, down from almost 246,000 tonnes in 2025. Elevated temperatures during flowering stages hindered pod formation and grain growth across many soybean fields.
Severe losses reported in maize, soybeans, and potatoes
Current estimates suggest sugar beet production has fallen to about 940,500 tonnes from 1.98 million tonnes last year. Yield reductions are estimated between 30% in more resilient areas and up to 70% in the eastern districts most affected by drought. Sunflower harvests have also decreased by roughly 35% to 50% compared to 2025. Oil pumpkin production has declined by roughly 20%, further impacting several crops typical of the autumn season.
The variation in crop performance heavily depended on soil type, with sandy and gravel soils losing moisture more rapidly than heavier soils, which left crops vulnerable to water stress for extended periods. Some maize fields produced few or no ears after intense heat disrupted pollination, prompting farmers to convert some grain and cob maize fields into silage due to the sharply reduced harvest potential caused by drought.
Extreme heat exacerbates Austria’s agricultural setbacks
In addition to the drought, Austria has recorded weaker yields in crops harvested earlier in the season. The September survey indicates that the average yield for conventional soft wheat was 59.6 decitons per hectare, down from 69.1 last year. Lower Austria experienced an 18% decline in soft wheat yields compared to 2025. Spring barley yields averaged 38.1 decitons per hectare, notably below the 53.0 decitons registered in 2025.
August marked Austria’s hottest month in 260 years of temperature records, with GeoSphere Austria documenting a national peak of 41.2 degrees Celsius during the month. Significant portions of Lower Austria, Vienna, Burgenland, and northwestern Styria faced rainfall deficits of 50% to 70% during August. Since the autumn harvest is still ongoing, these crop figures are preliminary estimates rather than final nationwide totals.