Tunnel cultivation is also becoming increasingly popular in Austria. This cultivation method offers a good way to reduce some of the production and marketing risks. In addition, the first farms are beginning to grow crops in substrate.

Protected cultivation in polytunnels ensures a high level of harvest reliability and excellent fruit quality within a regional context. Other reasons for choosing protected cultivation may include a lack of land or soil exhaustion.

Tunnel cultivation is mainly used to bring forward the strawberry harvest, allowing the first yields to be harvested as early as late April or early May. This cultivation method can also be used to extend the harvest period. The extended harvest season is an additional advantage, especially for direct-sales farms, as it can help build customer loyalty.

Advantages of protected cultivation:

• Extension of early and late production
– Harvesting possible for up to 6 months per year
• Yield reliability and good value creation per unit area
• Workflows, sales, and distribution are easier to plan
• Low disease pressure, resulting in reduced need for plant protection
• High proportion of Grade 1 fruit
• Better customer loyalty—making it well-suited for direct marketers
• Summer and fall harvest schedules are feasible
thanks to protected cultivation
• Also well-suited for organic farms due to the protected climate
• Not limited to strawberries—raspberries, tomatoes, asparagus, …