The fruit and vegetable production in Germany has been delayed for two weeks because of the cold weather, according to the harvesting report of the 'Deutschen Bauernverband' (DBV). Extreme weather conditions, including heavy rainfall, storms, and hailstorms, have delayed the growth in certain areas and complicated the harvest. The humid weather results in an increased risk of pests in the areas concerned.
The asparagus season ended on the 24th of June. It was too cold for the asparagus for a large part of the season, causing the harvest to be 10 to 15 percent smaller than last year in Germany. According to a preliminary estimate, about 100,000 tons of asparagus shoots were harvested (2015: 114,000). The prices around Pentecost were higher than last year, but afterwards they were well below the level of last year. The asparagus season had a fluctuating harvest.
Photograph: Bauern- und Winzerverband Rheinland-Pfalz Süd e.V.
The strawberry season is in full swing. Because of the cold weather, a 10% smaller harvest than last year is expected, which is about 150,000 tonnes. In some areas, there are serious problems because of the weather. The prices are on the same level as last year.
Stone fruit: The first cherries are on the market, the start of the season in the south of Germany, however, has gone down the drain. The cherries have burst due to a high water uptake, and the cherry fruit fly and spotted-wing drosophila cause a lot of trouble. They can reproduce easily because of the weather. In general, for all varieties of stone fruit from cherries, plums, to Mirabelle plums, an average harvest is expected. Last year's large harvest will not be surpassed this year.
Top fruit: The apple and pear trees are now in the 'June fall', so it is hard to determine a harvest forecast. The developments are so far, so good, excepting the hailstorm damage in some areas.
Lettuce, cauliflower, and broccoli: The harvest elapses evenly, some areas suffer from wet weather conditions. The prices were in the beginning of the season above last year’s level, but from the beginning of June below this level.
