Austria covers a total area of 8.4 million hectares. According to INVEKOS (2022), around 30.36 % of the area is used for agricultural purposes. This area is made up of 1.32 million hectares of arable land and 1.17 million hectares of permanent grassland. The agricultural landscape is characterised by numerous family farms and small to medium-sized farms, which play a crucial role in Austria’s food security. On average, a farmer in Austria cultivates an area of 44.9 hectares. Particularly noteworthy is the strong focus on organic farming, which makes Austria one of the world’s leading countries in this area, accounting for around 25 % of total agricultural land.
Austria has the largest proportion of Alpine land of all Alpine countries, with 63 % of the country’s surface area being high Alpine mountains. Livestock farming, dairy farming and forestry dominate in these regions due to the geographical conditions of relief and climate. Arable farming, on the other hand, is mainly practiced in areas north of the Danube, in Burgenland and in southern Styria, with the main crops being wheat, barley, maize, potatoes and sugar beet. Viticulture and fruit growing are widespread in climatically favoured locations, particularly in the foothills of the Alps, in Lower Austria and in the Danube valley.
Austrian agriculture makes a significant contribution to global food security, as shown by the high Global Food Security Index, which places Austria in 12th place with a score of 78.1 %. The level of self-sufficiency is also impressive, with meng grain (145 %), wine (100 %), drinking milk (178 %), veal and beef (147 %) and pork (108 %) largely produced in the country. It is important to note that around 70 % of Austria’s agricultural land is located in less-favoured areas, particularly in mountainous regions.
Almost half of the country’s total area, namely 47.9 %, is covered by forest, more than 80 % of which is privately owned. Around 145,000 families own forests and pass them on from generation to generation, ensuring the diverse and sustainable services provided by the forest in a long-term and responsible manner. The forest owners thus not only secure the habitat for animals and plants, but also the income for around 300,000 people. With an area share of around 46.2 %, spruce is the most important tree species in Austria, followed by beech with a share of 10.5 %. The country’s abundance of forests has contributed to the development of modern forestry and an extensive timber and wood processing industry with a high export quota.
