The article highlights the growing popularity of oil pumpkins as a spring crop, with over 39,000 hectares sown in the previous year in Lower Austria. To prevent market imbalance and price drops, as learned from a 2016 experience, farmers are advised to only sow if they have a contractual purchase or as needed for their direct marketing. Despite challenges like weather and pests, good yields were achieved in the previous year, with Lower Austrian PGI growers outperforming other regions. The Styrian pumpkin seed oil community's activities have contributed to the market's good development, with a price advantage for PGI brand products. The article also emphasizes the importance of crop protection and the active breeding of oil pumpkins, with three new varieties registered in December.