The apple harvest is the worst since 2017. Consumers do not have to fear empty fruit crates in supermarkets. But it could become more expensive.
Because of the cool and wet weather, German fruit growers are expecting the worst apple harvest in seven years this year. In some growing regions, the harvest has almost failed completely. Will prices rise now?
Christian Weseloh, Managing Director of the Federal Association of Producer Organisations for Fruit and Vegetables (BVEO), told the star: “Normally, you would expect that smaller quantities would lead to higher prices.” However, the main buyer of apples in Germany is the food retail trade, including large supermarket chains and discounters such as Rewe, Edeka, Kaufland, Lidl and Aldi. “These large companies often have a significant influence on prices.”
Apples will probably be stored and come from abroad
According to the Federal Statistical Office, around 734,000 tonnes of apples will be harvested this year. This is expected to be around 26 percent less than the average of the past ten years and the lowest harvest since 2017.
The apple harvest was already bad last year. This year, according to estimates, it will be around 22 percent lower. In the south-eastern federal states in particular, there are significant crop failures of up to 90 percent compared to the ten-year average, the statistics office further announced. In Saxony, for example – the third largest apple growing region in Germany – an extremely low harvest is expected.
Four major German growing regions
“The apple tree region most affected is in eastern Germany. That is the Dresden area,” said Christian Weseloh. “Then there are the areas on the Lower Rhine, in Baden-Württemberg and in the ‘Altes Land’ near Hamburg.” Germany practically only has four important apple tree regions. If one of these regions can hardly harvest, as is currently the case, this is noticeable.
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“It would be good if apple prices went up,” said Weseloh about the consequences of the poor German harvest. Not only so that fruit farmers could cover their costs, but also because a general increase in prices is necessary. In northwest Europe, especially in Germany, factors such as the discussion about the minimum wage, labor shortages and expensive modernization measures are increasing production costs.
“In a highly developed country like Germany, rising production costs are inevitable. Therefore, an increase in the price level for apples is justified, especially when you take the origin into account.” It is important that retailers also increase prices for local products.
Source: Stern
