In eastern Austria, the grain harvest has begun earlier than ever before in many places—in some areas one to two weeks earlier than the long-term average. The reason for this is not a “lucky early ripening,” but rather drought stress: Crops had to mature even though they had not yet reached their full yield potential. Official estimates currently suggest that average grain yields in Austria this year will be about 13.9 percent lower than last year.
Winter wheat and other high-quality grains are particularly affected: According to analyses by Statistics Austria and the chambers of agriculture, declines in these crops are in some cases over 15 percent compared to 2025. At the same time, the quality of the crop is described as satisfactory in many places—the yield figures are in line with expectations, but the quantities are lacking. This shifts the focus of the discussion: The problem is not quality, but rather the question of how much grain can actually be harvested per hectare.
The cause lies in a pattern that is clearly evident in statistics and weather data: a fall with little precipitation, a very dry spring, and heat waves around the time of flowering and early grain filling. It is precisely during these developmental stages that it is determined whether a crop will reach its full potential—or whether the plant will merely struggle to ensure maturity. In many regions this year, there was simply not enough water in the soil to get through these critical weeks.
For Green Legacy, the 2026 grain harvest sends a clear signal: water in the soil is becoming a critical factor in production. Our water-retaining granules are designed to temporarily store rainwater and irrigation water in the root zone, providing plants with water for longer periods during dry spells. In field trials—for example, in tomato and fruit cultivation—we were able to demonstrate that irrigation requirements for certain crops can be reduced by approximately 45–52 percent without any decrease in yield.
Together with agricultural operations, we are currently working to collect similar metrics in grain farming: How does water use efficiency change when soils can retain water longer? What role do sites with recurring yield losses play? The goal is to provide practical data showing how much yield per liter of water in the soil is possible—and how water storage technology can help in this regard.
Source: Chamber of Agriculture: 2026 Harvest, Agriculture - Drought
