The 2026 grain harvest in Austria will be significantly weaker for many important crops than the previous year. The latest summer yield survey by Agrarmarkt Austria (AMA) confirms the decline in yields per hectare that was already predicted at the beginning of August. Soft wheat, spring barley, and rye are particularly affected.

Soft wheat loses significantly

Conventional soft wheat achieved an average yield of 59.6 dt/ha in 2026. The previous year it was 69.1 dt/ha.

The decline is particularly pronounced in Lower Austria. In the most important growing region, yields of 53.8 dt/ha were achieved this year. That is 18 percent less than in 2025, when the yield was still at 65.8 dt/ha.

As early as spring, it became apparent that the domestic raw material base was changing. According to AMA (Agricultural Market Austria) acreage data, the area under soft wheat cultivation fell to a historic low in 2026. At the same time, this year's wheat harvest was accelerated exceptionally early due to the high temperatures. In some regions, the harvest started more than ten days earlier than usual.

Winter barley keeps best

Among the cereal crops harvested in summer, winter barley performed best. With an average yield of 67.6 dt/ha, it benefited from its earlier development and was exposed to heat waves for a shorter period than, for example, common wheat.

However, the yield for winter barley also fell short of previous years. In Lower Austria, the yield was 58.3 dt/ha, clearly below the record value of 68.2 dt/ha from 2025.

Upper Austria fared significantly better, achieving a yield of 78.6 dt/ha. This result is only slightly below last year's record.

Spring barley is particularly affected

The decline was significantly more pronounced for conventional spring barley. With an average yield of 38.1 dt/ha, it fell far short of the results of previous years. In 2025, yields of 53.0 dt/ha were achieved, and in 2024, they were 50.1 dt/ha.

In Lower Austria, the most important growing region, the yield was 37.3 dt/ha. Carinthia reached 46.7 dt/ha, and Styria 52.2 dt/ha. However, the production areas in these two federal states are significantly smaller.

Rye yield falls to 49.6 dt/ha

The previous year's rye yield could not be maintained either. The conventional yield in 2026 averaged 49.6 dt/ha, compared to 62.9 dt/ha in 2025.

Although this slightly exceeded the multi-year low of 48.9 dt/ha from 2024, the decline compared to the previous year remains considerable.

The trend is particularly evident again in Lower Austria. There, the rye yield fell from 61.8 dt/ha last year to 45.8 dt/ha.

Triticale with a more moderate decline

The losses are less severe for triticale. At 60.1 dt/ha, this year's yield is below the 67.7 dt/ha from 2025, but still above the 2024 result of 57.6 dt/ha.

Oilseed rapeseed also suffers double-digit losses.

There are also significant declines in oilseed rapeseed production, which is mainly concentrated in Lower Austria and Upper Austria.

In Lower Austria, a yield of 23.5 dt/ha was achieved. This represents a decrease of 18 percent compared to the previous year, when 28.5 dt/ha was reached.

In Upper Austria, the decline was even more pronounced at 21 percent. The yield per hectare fell from 40.1 dt/ha in 2025 to 31.5 dt/ha.

The development in yields coincides with a crop structure that also shifted in 2026. While the area acreage of soft wheat decreased, crops such as rye and oilseeds increased. The AMA 2026 area analysis shows these changes in Austrian arable farming in detail.

Weather conditions are impacting Austria's yields

The results of the AMA summer yield survey show a significantly weaker harvest year overall. While winter barley and some regions still achieved comparatively high yields, the hectare yields for most important crops are clearly below the previous year's level.

Back in July, Austria was already expecting a 14.6 percent drop in grain production. Drought and heat had negatively impacted yield prospects early on. The AMA yield data now available confirm this picture for the most important grain varieties.

For mills, bakeries, and the entire food processing industry, this means that quality and price trends are becoming increasingly important, in addition to the available quantity. International grain prices have recently remained relatively stable, while production costs in Austria remain high. Read more about the development of grain prices and production costs here.