Growing trend: 1,000 hectares of organic walnuts in 2016

For a long time, the cultivation of walnuts in Austria led only a meagre existence. There was little diversity in the cultivated varieties; old walnut groves were cleared and hardly any new plant protection products were allowed on the market. Now commercial walnut cultivation has been rediscovered in Lower Austria. In this article, Alexandra Horner (LK NÖ) explains about the market and about the cultivation.

Countries such as, Germany, Italy, France and Switzerland increasingly cultivate walnuts, and not only with conventional agriculture but also organic agriculture. In Austria, organic walnuts have been cultivated on about 1,000 hectares in 2016, and the size of this surface is expected increase even further in 2017. Walnuts are now one of the most important produce in Austria.

Worldwide, China rules the market with a share of 71%. The USA, Turkey and Iran are three other important walnut producing countries. Since the year 2000 the global production increased with 300%. The quality has to be high to compete with all these players on the market. The current demand for organic quality, Austrian-grown nuts exceeds the production, and the walnuts fetch a good price.

Viable commercial cultivation

The cultivation of walnuts can be profitable, providing the demand is stable. The range of walnut based products is large and particularly interesting for direct marketing. Furthermore, the typical red varieties, such as the "Red Donaunuss" or the "Red Gubler" supplement the range. Fresh green walnuts are popular too, but have to be harvested by hand. Quite some patience is required until the first walnuts can be harvested, because it takes about ten years before the yield is satisfactory, and walnuts require several specific circumstances

Circumstances for cultivation

In the first few years, walnuts require a mild climate, good soil conditions, lots of light, and special care, because the blossoms and new shoots are quite sensitive to frost. The area around the young trees must be kept free from weeds and grass and the trees must be protected from animals. Furthermore, the trees need to be pruned and require the right nutrition.

Some locations are unsuitable for walnut groves

Before investing in a walnut grove a soil survey is recommended, as certain agricultural "bad locations" are not suitable for walnut cultivation. The trees are planted at a distance of eight by eight meters to twelve by twelve meters, if combined with suitable frames, the trees can be shaped in such a way that it increases its yield. Depending on the variety, the yield produced is between three and five metric tons dry weight per hectare. After harvesting the walnuts are washed, dried and sorted. Intensive agriculture leads to an increased chance of diseases and pests, and the Rhagoletis completa, codling moth, Marssonina and bacterial diseases can cause massive problems. The use of copper, against leaf diseases, is still subject to approval.

Contract farming only with cultivated varieties

The cultivated varieties are essential for contract farming. These cultivated varieties can be distinguished in two different types, the terminal and lateral bearing varieties. The lateral varieties are more popular, because an economically viable yield is reached faster and the overall yield is larger. The buyers like light-colored, large nuts that are easily shelled. The regularly producing, disease-tolerant and robust varieties are recommended for organic farming. Some suitable varieties are, for example, "Mars", "Apollo", "Jupiter" and "Saturn", originally from the Czech Republic, "Lake" from the USA, Szentiani 117 from Hungary and "Fernor" and "Franquette" from France. Older varieties, such as “Geißenheim“, “Moselander“, “Weinheim” and the “Red Donaunuss“, which are popular in Austria, are not resistant against the Marssonina fungus.

Source: lko