Saxony's share of Germany's total tree fruit acreage was six percent (3,081 hectares) in the 2022 reporting year. This means that Saxony has the fourth-largest cultivation area of all the German states. Baden-Württemberg had the largest area under fruit trees in Germany, with
17,644 hectares (36 percent).
Tree fruit cultivation in Saxony has declined significantly in recent years. While in 2022, tree fruit was cultivated on an area of 3,081 hectares by 61 farms surveyed, in 2017 there were still 58 farms with 3,382 hectares. This represents an acreage reduction of 301 hectares, or 9 percent. On the other hand, the share of organic production has increased. This stood at 22 percent (672 hectares) in 2022. Compared to the last survey in 2017, this represents an increase of 27 percent in fully organically farmed areas.
The most important tree fruit in Saxony was the apple. This was cultivated on 2,277 hectares in 2022 (2017: 2,472 hectares). Dessert apples accounted for an area of 2,027 hectares. The top three apple varieties -by acreage- were Gala with 418 hectares (21 percent), Elstar with 279 hectares (14 percent) and Pinova
with 168 hectares (8 percent).
Other significant tree fruit varieties were sour and sweet cherries on a total of 487 hectares, plums/plums on 112 hectares, and pears on 108 hectares. Mirabelles and other tree fruit were also grown on an area of some 97 hectares, which included hazelnuts and walnuts. The tree fruit grower survey is conducted throughout Germany every five years. The survey covers farms with at least 0.5 hectares of orchards, with tree fruits as the main use.
For more information:
www.statistik.sachsen.de