Irrigation limits Vienna drought losses to two million euros

Drought-related damage in Vienna is estimated at two million euros, ORF reported, far below the one billion euros expected across Austria. The relatively low losses are attributed partly to the availability of irrigation.

Corn and sunflowers have been particularly affected in Vienna. The Hail Insurance company said it could not yet forecast the impact on soybeans and wine. About half of the farmland was insured against drought, while compensation depends on several factors. For corn, it is around 700 euros per hectare.

Vegetable farms use water-saving methods

The Vienna Chamber of Agriculture said local farms were investing in more efficient irrigation systems, water-saving production techniques, measures to build up humus and climate-adapted farming methods. Vegetable production has mainly suffered losses from heat stress.

The drought is an exceptional event for Vienna compared with recent years, when hail was a more serious problem, according to a spokesperson for the Hail Insurance company. The total damage could rise once the wine harvest is included.

The Vienna Chamber of Agriculture expects yield losses of up to 20 percent in wine production. It said vines now often develop faster than they did several years ago, bringing the start of the harvest forward. This year, harvesting is expected to begin at the end of August. Young vineyards are particularly affected by water shortages, and some growers must reduce the number of grapes on the vines to prevent damage.