In the wake of the recently published WAPA figures for this year's top fruit harvest, the regional harvest estimates are also being successively announced. In many apple-growing regions, there are signs of minor to serious declines in the harvest. Nevertheless, in some cases an increase in harvest volume is expected compared to the previous year, such as in the Lake Constance region. FreshPlaza.de summarised the latest forecasts from the respective growing areas in the DACH region
Lake Constance: apple industry hopes for good prices
There will be fewer apples across Europe this year, as there was frost in Eastern Europe at the time of blossoming. At Lake Constance and in Upper Swabia, however, a good harvest is expected in the coming weeks, according to Manfred Büchele. Fruit growers are expecting around 247,000 tonnes of apples. That is 13 per cent more than last year. In the very high-yield year 2022, the figure was 258,000 tonnes. Fruit growers on Lake Constance could benefit from this. They hope to get more money for their apples. Büchele estimates that farmers in the region could receive twice as much per kilo of apples this year, instead of 30 to 60 cents. However, consumers would not necessarily notice the price increases at the supermarket checkout.
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: Harvest estimate corresponds to multi-year average
The apple harvest in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is starting earlier than usual this year. According to fruit-growing consultant Rolf Hornig, there is a lead of ten to twelve days. This is due to earlier apple blossom as a result of mild weather in spring. The first very early varieties are already being harvested in the north, such as the Delba variety. The main harvest, which Hornig says normally starts in the first week of September, will therefore begin in MV at the end of August. This is when the Elstar, for example, is ripe. The season in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern will officially open on 30 August.
The apples blossomed very early this year due to the mild weather in February and March. Some growers suffered damage from frosts in April as a result, but not all, as Hornig says. The expert is therefore optimistic about the harvest volume. According to his estimates, it is likely to be on a par with the average of the last five years - and that is 25,000 tonnes.
Apples are the most important fruit in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's agriculture. Apple orchards cover around 1,500 hectares.
Schleswig-Holstein: Harvest tends to start earlier
The apple harvest also tends to start earlier in Schleswig-Holstein. Many fruit growers in the state started harvesting in mid-July instead of early August. Tim Greve from the fruit farm of the same name in Neuendorf observes how his 5,000 or so trees have changed. He has been keeping detailed records for years. His records go back to the 1990s: "We can see that the bud burst on the blossom is ten to fifteen days earlier. This doesn't just apply to one particular variety, it's recognisable across the board for all varieties. It simply starts faster."
Altes Land: Yield losses of 30 per cent predicted
There are fewer apples on the apple trees in the Altes Land region this year than in previous years. How much less the farmers will be able to harvest varies. Fruit growers are expecting losses of 30 per cent. Fruit growers are hoping that the price of apples will rise this year, to compensate for losses.
Thuringia: Immense yield losses on the horizon
A night of frost at the end of April means that the apple harvest in Thuringia will be smaller than it has been for years. Only around an eighth as many apples are expected to be harvested as in 2023, according to the State Statistical Office in Erfurt. The losses suffered by the farms, which grow apples on a total of 810 hectares, are therefore immense. The farms estimate a yield of 3.9 tonnes of apples per hectare. According to the statisticians, this is 87 per cent fewer apples than last year and 86 per cent fewer than the long-term average. The estimated harvest volume is 3,135 tonnes of apples, 20,800 tonnes below the previous year's result.
Saxony: Shop prices are already being driven up
Fruit growers in Saxony are having to accept some serious harvest losses this year. This is having a noticeable impact on customers and businesses, according to an initial survey by the Freie Presse. Regionally produced apples are already being sold at very high prices of around 3.49 euros per kilo.
South Tyrol: 14 per cent down on a three-year average
The apple harvest has begun in South Tyrol. A few Gala apples are already being harvested in the lowlands. Fruit growers are optimistic about this year's harvest. The 2023 harvest has been sold. This not only means that space has been created for the fresh apples, but above all that the prices for the 2024 apple vintage will be favourable. This is also due to the harvest volumes abroad, says Georg Kössler, Chairman of the Association of South Tyrolean Fruit Cooperatives (VOG): "In the EU region, a drop of 11 per cent is expected compared to 2023, resulting in a drop of 14 per cent on a three-year average." Nevertheless, quality is expected to be predominantly good.