Austrian Fruit Farming Faces Sharp Decline Due to Climate Change

A recent study highlights a severe downturn in Austrian fruit farming as climate change leads to a drastic reduction in the number of fruit-bearing trees and total fruit-growing area. The report warns of profound risks to traditional fruit cultivation if temperatures continue to rise.

A sharp decline has struck Austria's fruit farming industry as evidenced by a recent study revealing that the number of fruit-bearing trees, such as apples, pears, and cherries, has plummeted from 35 million in 1930 to a mere 4.2 million in 2020.

The research, conducted by the Austrian Federal Chamber of Commerce alongside the Federal Association for Fruit Farming, attributes this decline to the overarching impact of climate change. It lists extreme weather conditions, including winter frosts, soaring summer temperatures, drought stress, and severe thunderstorms, as key contributors to the erosion of agricultural productivity.

Data from the 2023 Agricultural Structure Survey further underscores the industry's struggles, citing a 14 percent reduction in total fruit-growing area between 2017 and 2023. The study warns that a temperature increase of 2 to 3 degrees Celsius could precipitate dangerous changes to fruit farming, jeopardizing traditional cultivation practices.

(With inputs from agencies.)