In 2013, the Dutch Summer wheat acreage increased significantly. Also, potatoes, onions, pear and tomato show an increase in cultivated areas. In contrast, the acreage of Winter wheat, apples, celery and cauliflower is decreasing. The area of temporary grassland has improved. All according to initial estimates by the agricultural census in 2013.
More potatoes and onions
In 2013, the area of starch potatoes went up with 1% higher compared to 2012, to nearly 44 thousand hectares. Potato acreage is up 6% to 71 thousand hectares. The cultivation of seed potatoes (including those for use on the company) also increased slightly: by 1% to almost 40 thousand hectares. The acreage for onions rose by 4% to nearly 22 thousand hectares.
In 2013, asparagus production increased by 31% compared to 2012, going to 630 hectares. Furthermore, carrot acreage went up 17%. Also, the sweet corn acreage is on the rise again. The area is increasing by 16% to 670 hectares. Celeriac however, fared less well. The cultivated area of this crop fell by 3% to 1510 hectares. The sprouts acreage decreased by 2.5% to 2640 hectares.
In 2013, the pear acreage increased (+2%) to 8330 hectares after a decline in 2012. The apple acreage has shrunk (-2%) to 7790 hectares. The total acreage of apples and pears remains virtually unchanged.
The eggplant acreage (105 ha) and that of paprika (1310 ha) remain unchanged compared to 2012. The tomato acreage grows 4% to 1760 hectares and cucumber acreage (630 ha) increased slightly by one per cent.
Renzo Ghianni and André Meurink
Source: CBS StatLine
