This year's cherry harvest in Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt is expected to be significantly better than last year. After last year's massive crop failure due to late frosts, fruit growers in both states are expecting 2,125 tons of sweet cherries and 2,055 tons of sour cherries, according to the Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt Fruit Growers' Association at the start of the cherry season in Saxony-Anhalt. While sweet cherries are mainly marketed fresh, sour cherries are mainly destined for further processing.
"Last year, there was a total failure over a large area due to the frost event," explained the association's managing director, Carmen Kaps. In some cases, the harvest volume was up to 90 percent below the level of a normal year. This year, an average harvest is expected. "All in all, satisfactory," said Kaps.
The reasons for the average harvest volume lie in weather-related challenges. There was minor to medium frost damage - depending on the region and variety. The drought of recent weeks and isolated hailstorms have also affected the harvest. Excessive rainfall, such as recently, could also cause ripe cherries to burst.
High costs slow down cultivation
"The area under cherries has only decreased slightly compared to the previous year, but the trend is still downwards," emphasized Kaps. This problem affects almost all fruit crops, which is mainly due to rising production costs - especially the minimum wage, which also applies to seasonal workers. The fruit harvest is "very labor-intensive", said Kaps.
Sales fluctuate, but overall the harvest can be marketed well. However, domestic cherries are increasingly competing with low-priced imports, for example from Turkey.
Kilo price from seven euros
Depending on the variety, region and effort - for example for frost protection measures - the price per kilo will be between seven and twelve euros this year, according to the fruit growers' association.
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