Total cereals production in Sweden is estimated to come in at 5.1 million tonnes in 2024, a 19.% increase on the previous year, although 6% lower than the five-year average, new data from Statistics Sweden (SCB) has found.
The 2023 harvest was significantly affected by heavy rainfall in the autumn sowing season, affecting crop establishment and leading to flooded fields over winter. This resulted in a yield of winter wheat that was lower than expected across the country – Jönköping reported a 26% shortfall – while spring barley yields were also lower than expected.
‘The circumstances with heavy raining led to inferior establishment of crops in a notable number of areas,’ SCB noted. ‘High levels of water and floodings during the winter months led to fields being submerged.’
The 2024 harvest performance is likely to be impacted by poor crop establishment in both winter-sown and spring-sown crops, along with early summer droughts, SCB noted.
Oilseed rape
In terms of oilseed production, the total estimated harvest of oilseed rape is likely to come in at around 282,500 tonnes, which is a 7% decrease compared to the previous year, due to winter rape not being sown as intended because of the delayed 2023 autumn season.
That said, some regions like Uppsala and Stockholm, reported notably high yields, while counties in the southwest, such as Västra Götaland and Halland, saw lower yields.
Peas and beans
Pea production is set to come in at 73,700 tonnes, which is a 34% increase on the previous year.
Here too, there were some anomalies – yields were particularly low in Östergötland, at 30% below average, while other regions like Mälaren Valley showed yields close to the average.
Field bean production is estimated at 51,600 tonnes, a 7% increase over last year, with significant growth in Västra Götaland county, where yields were 14% higher than the five-year average.
Final results for the 2024 harvest will be published in April 2025, SCB confirmed. Read more here.
