Winter wheat dominates the autumn-sown area

In Sweden, winter wheat accounts for 72 percent of the autumn-sown area. A total of 464 000 hectares of winter wheat were sown in the country, which is on the same level as last autumn´s area. At national level, the winter wheat areas were 4 percent larger than the average in the five past autumns, but 12 percent larger than the ten-year average.

Largest areas of winter rye and winter barley in Skåne County

In Sweden, the autumn-sown area of winter rye is estimated to be 28 000 hectares and winter barley to 23 000 hectares. The Skåne County has the largest areas of winter rye and winter barley in Sweden, with 11 600 and 5 200 hectares. In Sweden, the winter triticale areas are estimated to be 30 000 hectares, which is 13 percent larger than the ten-year average. Winter rape areas are estimated to be 101 000 hectares, which is 2 percent larger compared with the five-year average.

Organically cultivated autumn-sown areas are comparable with last autumn´s areas

Total autumn-sown areas cultivated organically are estimated to be 38 000 hectares, which is comparable with last autumn’s areas, but 19 percent less than the five-year average. There were 25 000 hectares of organically cultivated winter wheat which is comparable with last year’s areas but 17 percent less than the five-year average. The winter wheat area also includes 600 hectares of organically cultivated winter spelt.

Varied weather conditions for autumn-sowing this year

This year´s weather conditions have been varied for autumn-sowing. Many farmers have been able to sow according to plan. However, there are framers that have stated that they have sowed less areas than planned due to rain. There are also farmers who have stated that is has been too wet to sow at all.

More detailed information with a presentation by county and production area is published in a statistical report on the Swedish Board of Agriculture website, www.jordbruksverket.se, under “Statistik” in Swedish. The statistics on autumn sown areas are also available in the Swedish Board of Agriculture’s statistical database. The information is based on a sample survey in which about 5 000 farmers submitted information to Statistics Sweden about autumn sown areas.