Open-field cultivation was hit hard by the dry and hot summer. The vegetable crop only reached 163 million kilos and the berry crop 12 million kilos. On the other hand, the production of greenhouse vegetables surpassed the previous year, totalling 75 million kilos. Potted vegetable production soared to record figures, 81 million units. The figures are based on the 2010 horticultural statistics compiled by Tike (Information Centre of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry).

Number of horticultural enterprises down – production almost unchanged
The number of horticultural enterprises declined by a half in the 2000s, while the production area remained almost unchanged. In 2000, there were 8,234 horticultural enterprises and farms engaging in horticulture, with a total cultivated area of 18,563 hectares. In 2010, 4,491 enterprises (-45%) engaged in horticulture on a total of 16,446 hectares (-12%). Greenhouse horticulture accounted for 435 hectares.

The farms that have discontinued production are smaller than average. Often, the reason for discontinuing cultivation is that the farmer is retiring. On the other hand, the farms that are still in operation have increased their cultivated areas and boosted the efficiency of their production. However, vegetable and berry production volumes have remained relatively unchanged. That said, the weather-related annual variations in open-field crops are quite large, especially in berry production.

Root vegetables, cabbages and onions are the mainstays of open-field cultivation
The area under open-field vegetables amounted to 8,656 hectares last year. The small year-on-year increase was due to the growth in the area under garden peas and onions. The dry weather hindered growth and weakened the quality of crops such as butter-head lettuce and sprouting broccoli. The vegetable crop was 15 million kilos lower than previous year. The major crops in terms of volume were carrots (67 million kilos), white cabbage (22 million kilos) and onions (20 million kilos). The vegetable with the largest cultivated area, garden peas, yielded a crop of only slightly less than 5 million kilos.

Area under strawberries stabilises
Almost one in two horticultural farms grew berries. The total area under berries was 6,152 hectares. The most common berry was strawberry, which is also the most important berry in terms of cultivated area and crop volume. Strawberries accounted for 12 million kilos of last year’s 15 million-kilo berry crop. 1,371 farms cultivated strawberries on a total area of 3,311 hectares. The long decline in the area under strawberries appears to have come to an end, as the cultivated area has seen slight growth in the past couple of years. That said, the number of farm enterprises decreased by 55 year-on-year. On the other hand, the cultivation of currants – which mainly go for industrial use – has been on the wane. Blackcurrants account for the largest share of the cultivated area. The area under blackcurrants was down 83 hectares on the previous year and the crop fell short of one million kilos. Berry production was two million kilos less than year 2009. Apple acreages grew by 24 hectares to a record-breaking 678 hectares, and the harvest amounted to 4 million kilos.

Cucumbers and potted vegetables surging at a record clip
Last year, 823 enterprises cultivated greenhouse vegetables on a total area of 244 hectares. Of this area, 114 hectares were under tomatoes and 67 under cucumbers. Tomato production amounted to 39 million kilos, a slight increase on the previous year. Cucumbers yielded a record crop of 32 million kilos, slightly over two million kilos more than in the previous year. Potted vegetable production also saw further growth: 25 hectares of greenhouses yielded 81 million units of potted vegetables. The greatest increase was seen in the case of potted lettuce, but the share accounted for by specialty vegetables and herbs surged as well.

Changes in ornamental plant production
Ornamental plants were cultivated in greenhouses on an area of slightly under 15 hectares. Of this area, cut roses now accounted for only 10 hectares. The area under cut flower production has plummeted in step with the decline in rose cultivation – in 2000, they were grown on 50 hectares. On the other hand, the cultivation of summer bedding flowers has remained at about 44 million units, of which 2.5 million were hanging pots. Flower bulbs have significantly increased in importance. Tulips were produced in the greatest numbers, close to 60 million. Sales of potted daffodils amounted to three million units.

Background to the statistics
Data for the horticultural statistics is collected once a year from all businesses that cultivate horticultural products for sale. The survey conducted in October 2010 covered 5,017 enterprises.

Statistical tables related to this press release are available from the home page of the Horticultural Statistics on the Matilda agricultural statistics service. The data will also appear in the Horticultural Statistics 2010 publication, which will be published in June and will also include regional information and maps.

For additional information
Tike, Statistical Services
Actuary Anna-Kaisa Jaakkonen, tel. +358 20 77 21364
Assistant statistician Arja Anttila, tel. +358 20 77 21362
E-mail addresses are in the format forename.surname@mmmtike.fi