According to Tike’s (Information Centre of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry) horticultural statistics, the production of greenhouse vegetables rose to a record high of 76 million kilos. The cut narcissus was the flower that shot up the fastest – production increased by a third to 2.5 million bulbs.

There were a total of 936 horticultural enterprises cultivating greenhouse vegetables in 2008. The total area under cultivation – 256 hectares – remained almost the same as in 2007, but production rose to a record high of 76 million kilos. Of this, tomatoes accounted for 40 million kilos and cucumbers for 31 million kilos. 2008 saw a record-breaking tomato yield despite a slight decrease in the area cultivated. This high yield was achieved through increased production efficiency, such as a rise in winter cultivation. The cultivation of sweet pepper continued to fall, with production standing at just under 620 tonnes. Butter-head and speciality lettuce production increased to over a million kilos, especially through an increase in iceberg lettuce cultivation.

The production of pot-grown vegetables rose for the fifth consecutive year, totalling 75 million units. Pot-grown lettuce alone accounted for just under 60 million units. Dill was the major herb (5 million units), and 2.8 million units of basil were produced. (Basil statistics were requested for the first time in 2008.) The pot-grown vegeta-ble crop is primarily produced by major companies: 73 horticultural enterprises under an area of 224,000 square metres in 2008.

A bad summer for open-field vegetables

Production volumes for open-field vegetables were down on 2007 due to poor yields and a decline in the area under cultivation. 8,200 hectares were under open-field vegetables in 2008, down by 300 hectares on 2007. The number of cultivators also decreased by 140 to 1,759 enterprises. The garden pea remained the major vegetable in terms of cultivated area (2,473 hectares). Large volumes of garden peas are produced under contract for the food industry, so its cultivation is highly influenced by new agreements. The areas under butter-head lettuce and onion increased, but bad weather conditions led to low yields of, for example, onion, beetroot and vegetables in the cabbage family. A total of 153 million kilos of open-field vegetables was pro-duced, of which just over half were root vegetables. Carrots accounted for 40 per cent.

A good year for strawberries and raspberries – currants hit by frost

6,300 hectares were under berries in 2008. A total of 13 million kilos of berries was produced, mainly strawberries. 2,315 horticultural enterprises cultivated berries, 1,521 of which were strawberry producers. Although the area under strawberries declined by 115 hectares, the long crop season boosted production to 11.2 million kilos (up by 1.5 million kilos on 2007). Spring frosts hindered currant flowering, which led to a modest yield. The raspberry crop was good at 530 tonnes. Finnish apple production also continued to grow. A total of 668 hectares were under apple, producing 4.3 million kilos. Nursery cultivation declined by 25 hectares.

Cut flowers from bulbs challenge cut roses

The area under cut flower production reduced by four hectares in 2008 due to a decline in rose cultivation. The production of flowering bulbs continued to rise and just under 74 million bulbs were grown. Tulips accounted for 57 million and potted narcissi for 7.6 million of these bulbs. The cut narcissus shot up the fastest with production increasing by a third to 2.5 million bulbs. The long period of growth in the production of sum-mer bedding plants came to an end. Production remained at just under 46 million units, of which 12.6 million were pansies. The poinsettia retained its status as most popular potted flower.

Same area, higher yield

Finnish horticulture continues to consolidate. In recent years, growing producers have operated in fields where they can step up efficiency. For example, pot-grown vegetables and flowering bulbs are primarily produced by major companies that have made efficiency-enhancing investments, such as automation. The high price of energy has, however, limited the use of lighting in greenhouses.

The most successful products have been those for which production in Finland generates added value: summer bedding plants and hanging flower pots are more difficult to import than cut roses. In open-field vegetables, large carrot and onion plantations have been able to boost production efficiency. When it comes to vegetables and ornamental plants, consumers value ease-of-use – pot-grown lettuce and hanging flower baskets.

Background to the statistics

Data for the Horticultural Enterprise Register is collected once a year from all businesses that cultivate horticultural products for sale. The survey conducted in October 2008 covered 4,898 enterprises. Detailed information on open-field and greenhouse vegetables, berries, fruit, ornamental plants and nursery cultivation is provided in the attached tables. The data will also appear in the 2008 Horticultural Enterprise Register, which is published in June and will also include regional information and maps. Past issues may be downloaded from our Matilda service (www.matilda.fi).

For additional information

Anna-Kaisa Jaakkonen, tel. +358 (0)20 77 21 374

Arja Anttila, tel. +358 (0)20 77 21 362

E-mail in the format: forename.surname@mmmtike.fi