In Sweden, 421 500 hectares of winter wheat were sown this autumn, which is 8 percent less than last autumn, when the sown acreage was the largest on record. At the national level, the 2021 winter wheat areas were 5 percent larger than the average in the five past autumns, and 15 percent larger than the ten-year average. Large autumn sown areas are beneficial for many reasons, not least because they help reduce nutrition losses from arable land.

In Skåne County, the total autumn sown cereal acreage decreased by 13 percent, equivalent to 17 100 hectares, compared with a year ago. Västra Götaland County noted a decline of 17 percent, equivalent to 16 600 hectares.

Winter rye areas declined

The autumn sown areas of rye decreased for the third consecutive year. This autumn, autumn sown areas amounted to 21 000 hectares, which is 22 percent less than last autumn and 23 percent less than the five-year average.

Winter barley and winter triticale areas on a level with autumn areas a year ago

The winter barley areas are estimated at 22 700 hectares, which is in the same range as last autumn, but exceeds the five-year average by 14 percent. The autumn sown areas of triticale are estimated at 27 100 hectares, which is on a level with both the five-year average and last year’s areas.

Winter rape areas larger than last autumn

Winter rape areas are estimated at 111 900 hectares. This means they are 11 percent larger than last autumn’s areas and 14 percent larger than the five-year average. This year’s winter rape areas verge on the record areas in autumn 2016. Winter turnip areas are estimated at 1 200 hectares.

Organically cultivated winter rape also increased

Total autumn sown areas cultivated organically amounted to 52 600 hectares, which is on a level with last autumn’s areas, but 18 percent more than the five-year average. There were 31 900 hectares of organically cultivated winter wheat, which also verges on last year’s areas, and corresponds to 14 percent more than the five-year average. Organically cultivated winter rape areas noted peak figures; they were estimated at 11 000 hectares, which is 39 percent more than last autumn’s areas.

Rainy autumn impeded autumn sowing

The autumn was marked by rainy weather across much of the country. Part of the intended autumn sowing was therefore cancelled, since the fields were not passable. There are concerns that parts of the winter sown areas will require spring tillage, since the crops have were occasionally flooded after persistent rainfall. Some farmers even reported that they are unable to autumn sow wheat and oilseed crops because wild boar, moose, deer, and geese destroy the crops.

More detailed information with a presentation by county and production area is published in swedish in the statistical report Höstsådda arealer 2021 (Jordbruksverket). The statistics on autumn sown areas are also available in the Swedish Board of Agriculture’s statistical database. The information is based on a sample survey in which about 5 000 farmers submitted information to Statistics Sweden about autumn sown areas. areas.