Harvest estimate 2024 specified: peak pea harvest, average cereal harvest
According to the second harvest estimate for 2024 of the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), while most crops produced average yields in Finland, there are exceptions in both ways. The rye harvest will be small, whereas the pea harvest will be largest in the history of the statistics. The estimated sugar beet harvest was last as large as this ten years ago.
Almost half of Finland’s cultivation area is used for crop production. This year’s total cereal harvest estimate is 3.2 million tons. Even though the barley area is slightly higher than the oat area, the oat harvest is expected to be a little larger than the barley harvest (1.2 and 1.1 million tons respectively). Wheat, the third most produced cereal, is expected to have an average harvest of roughly 780,000 tons.
Rye harvest insufficient for the whole year
Domestic rye may be in short supply, as its harvest is expected to only cover half of our annual consumption. The estimated rye harvest will remain at roughly 53,000 tons. The rye harvest shows significant annual variation because heavy rainfall in the autumn may prevent sowing.
Yet another historically large pea harvest
The food and feed pea area increased by giant leaps from 2019 until 2023 when the pea area first exceeded sugar beet and rye, then the potato area and last year the turnip rape and rapeseed area. This year, the pea harvest is estimated at more than 100,000 tons, the largest pea harvest in the history of the statistics.
Expectations high for sugar beet and hopeful for potato
Potato consumption has decreased in Finland decade after decade. As a result, the potato area has decreased, being down to a sixth from the peak area in 1948. The potato harvest estimate of approximately 550,000 tons corresponds roughly to our annual consumption.
The sugar beet harvest is estimated to be more than 600,000 tons. If this level is reached, the harvest will be largest in ten years. The harvesting of potato and sugar beet takes place late in autumn and has not yet been fully completed.
Grass harvest largest in terms of volume
Grass is an important source of feed for cattle in particular. The silage fodder harvest is two to three times larger than the total cereal harvest. The total silage fodder harvest is expected to be almost nine million tons, but it is more difficult to estimate than other crops.
How are the statistics compiled?
Luke’s harvest estimates for the crop production statistics are based on estimates supplied by specialists at local ProAgria Rural Advisory Centres and reflect the situation on 16 September. The estimates for each municipality are based on visual observations and local expertise. Cultivation areas are obtained from the data systems of the Finnish Food Authority’s administrative body of rural industries. The crop production statistics will be expanded and further specified on 28 November, when Luke will publish regional crop production data based on data obtained directly from farms.
