VIENNA / RankWire.AI / – Austria’s autumn harvest has experienced significant setbacks as extended drought conditions and historic summer temperatures have adversely affected key crops. The Austrian Chamber of Agriculture reports that potato yields are now 50% to 70% below the five-year average. Chamber president Josef Moosbrugger highlighted that the autumn harvest losses are more severe than initially anticipated.
This harvest coincides with one of Austria’s driest periods since the start of national weather recording. According to GeoSphere Austria, the 12 months ending in July marked the driest stretch since records began in 1850. Between January 1 and August 12, the majority of the country experienced an unusually high number of dry days, with eastern farming regions facing some of the most significant rainfall deficits during crucial crop growth stages.
Maize production is estimated to fall to around 1.5 million tonnes or less, a sharp decrease from over 2.5 million tonnes last year. Regional forecasts indicate maize yields have declined approximately 35% to 50%. Soybean output currently hovers near 125,000 tonnes, down from nearly 246,000 tonnes in 2025. The heat during flowering stages hindered pod formation and grain development across affected soybean fields.
Heavy losses hit maize, soybeans, and potatoes
Current estimates place sugar beet production at about 940,500 tonnes, compared to 1.98 million tonnes last year. Yield reductions vary from roughly 30% in the more resilient regions to 70% in the driest eastern districts. Sunflower harvests are estimated to be 35% to 50% lower than in 2025. Oil pumpkin yields also remain approximately 20% below the five-year average, extending the drought’s impact across various autumn crops.
Soil type significantly influenced how individual fields responded during the dry season. Sandy and gravelly soils lost moisture more rapidly than heavier soils, leaving crops vulnerable to prolonged water stress. Some maize fields produced few or no ears after severe heat disrupted pollination. To salvage harvest potential, farmers converted some grain and cob maize fields into silage where drought conditions drastically reduced yields.
Austria’s record heat intensifies agricultural losses
Agrarmarkt Austria has also observed reduced yields in crops harvested earlier this season. The September survey reported soft wheat yields at 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, compared to the 53.0 decitons recorded in 2025.
During August, Austria recorded its hottest month in 260 years of temperature records, with GeoSphere Austria documenting a national high of 41.2 degrees Celsius. Large regions including Lower Austria, Vienna, Burgenland, and northwestern Styria faced rainfall deficits of 50% to 70% in August. As the autumn harvest continues, these latest figures reflect current estimates rather than definitive nationwide totals.