Fruit growers are sounding the alarm: There is a looming shortage of locally grown fruit

According to the Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt Fruit Growers’ Association, regional fruit may become even scarcer on store shelves in the future. Rising labor costs, a shortage of seasonal workers, and increasing weather risks are putting pressure on farms, the association stated in response to an inquiry. To draw attention to these challenges, fruit growers are launching a nationwide harvest appreciation campaign under the slogan “One-fifth isn’t enough.”

High Demand for Manual Labor

“Rising labor costs are hitting fruit farming particularly hard because many tasks—especially harvesting, sorting, and maintenance—can only be partially mechanized,” said Managing Director Carmen Stefanie Kaps. At the same time, local producers are competing with imported fruit from countries with significantly lower production costs. They cannot simply pass on higher expenses to retailers and consumers.

Land Could Be Lost

“For labor-intensive crops, this can mean that certain crops are no longer economically viable, leading to land being abandoned or not replanted,” explained Kaps. If an orchard is cleared, domestic production cannot be rebuilt in the short term. A new orchard does not reach full capacity quickly, Kaps said. Decisions regarding clearing or replanting therefore have long-term consequences.

Seasonal Workers Harder to Find

Seasonal workers are indispensable for many farms, as large harvests often must be completed within a few weeks. However, it is becoming more difficult to find enough workers. The association is therefore calling for less bureaucracy and legally sound rules, including for the employment of workers from third countries. It explicitly emphasized that this is not about lowering social standards: seasonal workers should be paid fairly and employed properly.

Call for Better Conditions

According to the association, support is also needed for modern, labor-saving technology, as well as better assistance during periods of frost, heat, and drought. Reliable, long-term regulations are also necessary for crop protection and insurance against weather-related crop failures.