This year's autumn sowing of cereals and oilseed crops was at a record level and amounted to 584 600 hectares. This is 10 percent more than last autumn and 23 percent more than the average of the past five years. Autumn sown crops help reduce nutrition losses from arable land. Statistics about areas can be used as a basis for a first forecast of 2017 areas and total harvests.

Large winter wheat areas this autumn as well

In total, 410 500 hectares of winter wheat were sown this autumn in Sweden, which is the same magnitude as last year's record-level areas. This year's area is 24 percent larger than the average of the past five years.

Recovery of the winter rye area

The autumn sown area of rye resulted in 21 700 hectares, which is 39 percent more than last autumn's record low level of area. The winter rye area is now at the same level as the five-year average.

Winter barley and triticale on a level with last year’s areas

Cultivation of winter barley and winter triticale has been estimated to 18 400 hectares and 27 400 hectares respectively, which for both crops is on a level with last year's areas.

Organically cultivated autumn sowing also increased

The autumn sown area of rape that will be cultivated organically amounts to 6 600 hectares and is thereby at a record-high level. The organically cultivated winter wheat area is 24 900 hectares, which is also a record. Altogether, 38 000 hectares of crops that will be cultivated organically were autumn sown, which is the largest area yet.

Early harvest allowed for large autumn sowing

The dry summer led to crops generally ripening early. Then, the end of August and September presented good harvesting weather and the crops could be harvested quickly in most parts of the country. This meant there was time to prepare the land for autumn sowing. The increases in area are largest in Svealand and northern Götaland. However, there have been reports of crops being damaged by dryness and concerns that the seed has not grown as it should.

A more detailed report of this survey is published in the Statistical Report Areas sown in autumn 2016 and on the Swedish Board of Agriculture website.