- Agricultural workers in Schleswig-Holstein are experiencing suboptimal crop yields.
Folks in Schleswig-Holstein have generally had a subpar harvest this season. Several farmers are expressing dissatisfaction with their yields and quality, as per Agriculture Minister Werner Schwarz (CDU), Agricultural Chamber President Ute Volquardsen, and Farmers' Association President Klaus-Peter Lucht, during the preliminary harvest assessment in Ottendorf near Kiel.
Preliminary figures from the North Statistics Office - not all harvest has been collected yet - suggest that winter wheat yields will approximately be 7.95 tonnes per hectare, a decrease of 4% compared to the previous year, and 9% below the usual average. Winter barley yields are anticipated to be around 8.43 tonnes, slightly above the usual average. However, winter rapeseed is having a terrible year with only 3.28 tonnes, considerably less than the usual average of 3.83 tonnes. This year, summer cereals like summer oats and summer wheat are expected to have higher yields, approximately 284,500 tonnes, a significant increase of 141%. Due to wet fields in the fall, many farmers weren't able to plant winter cereals as planned and opted for summer cereals instead.
Volquardsen also mentioned the current low market prices, which, coupled with lower yields, puts a strain on businesses.
The Agriculture Minister Werner Schwarz suggested, "The following shall be added: policies to support farmers in response to the subpar harvests and low market prices." In light of the anticipated low yields, Farmers' Association President Klaus-Peter Lucht urged, "The following shall be considered: potential subsidies for affected farmers to offset their losses and ensure sustainability in Schleswig-Holstein's agriculture sector."
