Total production of organic grain remained on a par with the previous year. According to the data collected by Tike (the Information Centre of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry), production of organic grain totalled 76 million kg in 2009, representing 2% of Finnish grain production. Organic turnip rape and pea production saw year-on-year growth. The statistics include organic broad beans for the first time.

A total of 17 million kg of organic bread grain (wheat and rye) were produced, 1.2 million kg more than in 2008. Organic production of feed grain (barley, oats and mixed crops) totalled 59 million kg, down 0.5 million kg on 2008.

By cereal type, the organic production volumes of wheat, barley and mixed crops were slightly higher in 2009 than in 2008, while the volume of oats decreased somewhat. Oats were produced in the greatest quantity, 39 million kg, accounting for half of total organic grain production. The volume of organic oats represents close to 4% of Finland’s total oat production.

Wheat production amounted to almost 12 million kg, 1.4 million kg more than in the previous year. Barley production totalled 8 million kg, up 1.4 million kg on the previous year. Slightly more than 11 million kg of mixed crops were produced, a year-on-year increase of 0.4 million kg. The production volume of organic rye was 6 million kg, accounting for 14% of Finland’s total rye production.

Organic turnip rape and peas on the rise

The organic turnip rape harvest in 2009 was slightly over two million kg, as against 1.3 million kg in 2008. The organic pea harvest doubled compared with the previous year and amounted to 1.3 million kg in 2009. Slightly over two million kg of organic potatoes were produced, or about half of the previous year’s volume. The decline in the potato volume may be due to changes in the compilation of organic potato statistics – small-scale producers of potatoes for personal household needs are no longer included.

Production of organic broad beans

Organic broad bean production was included in this statistical survey for the first time. In 2009, broad bean production amounted to 2 million kg. The harvest area was 730 hectares, a third of the total area under broad beans in Finland.

Cereals harvested green

In addition to the crops produced for grain, a large amount of organic cereals was harvested green in 2009. 24 million kg of wheat, barley, oats and mixed crops were turned into whole crop silage and a total of 5 million kg into fresh silage. In total, this amounted to 29 million kg. About 12% of the harvest area of organic grain was accounted for by cereals harvested green. The volume of the silage crop grew compared with the previous year, when it amounted to 22 million kg and accounted for about 10% of the organic grain harvest area.

Background to the statistics 

Information on organic crop production is collected with a sampling survey of organic farmers. The survey carried out in March 2010 was sent to 1,000 certified organic farms that represent a cross-section of Finnish organic production sectors and farm sizes.

For organic crop production statistics, consult Matilda agricultural statistics service (www.agriculturalstatistics.fi). Organic information is also provided in From Farm to Fork, a statistical publication that is released in December.

 

For additional information:

Actuary Sirpa Karppinen, tel. +358 20 77 21341