30 years of tomatoes in Austria: greater harvest, falling prices
Tomatoes are the most loved vegetable by the Austrians. The numbers prove this: in 1982, 31,952 tons of tomatoes were harvested in Austria, in 2012 – 30 years later – this number became 52,032. The harvest has then increased by more than 20,000 tons. Unfortunately this increase has not meant increased profit for growers. Price trends over the last 30 years have significantly fallen. In comparing 1982 with 2012 we see a price decrease of 64%.
Therefore the yield per hectare has significantly increased. 30 years ago this was 642.9 quintals. In 2012 it was up to 2,846.4 quintals. This means that currently more than four times as many tomatoes are being harvested on the same surface area as before. This also explains the decline in acreage.