Marcelino Exposito, Managing Director of the OGM Obstgroßmarkt Mittelbaden eG, summarizes the current situation: "In view of the failures last year, growers and fruit producer organizations are satisfied with the outlook. The heat and drought were extraordinary. The growers, however, provided the trees with water in time, wherever irrigation is possible. Where this was not possible, the apples will be slightly smaller this time. Now that the apples turn red in the cooler nights, we expect excellent quality. "
As always, the front runner in the cultivation regions is the Alte Land near Hamburg, with 307,000 tons of apples. This is closely followed by the Bodensee region with 272,000 tons and Saxony/Saxony-Anhalt with around 100,000 tons of apples. This will enable Germany to meet its needs largely from its own production in 2018.
Good for German consumers
88% of Germans buy apples and apples are the undisputed number one in the fruit ranking in this country. Every private German household bought 18.4 kilograms of the delicious fruit last year. This comes to some 123 apples per household or about 60 apples per person. Apple lovers are spoiled for choice because the trade generally offers an assortment of about 15 different apple varieties. For years now, the top apple in the ranking of most popular apples has been the aromatic and juicy Elstar. It accounts for about 20 percent of the total sales volume on average. Second place is occupied by the sweet and sour Braeburn with around 13 percent. This is followed by the fine-sour Jonagold and Jonagored, the sweet Gala and the sweet-aromatic Golden Delicious. Correspondingly, half of German production consists of this sextet.
Fruity delicacy with tradition
Apple cultivation in Germany has a long history. In some areas, it goes back to the eighth century AD, where it was especially in monasteries where apple cultivation was best understood. Elector August of Saxony may also have boosted tradition. He issued a law in 1582, which required married couples to plant two fruit trees in their garden. Either way, tradition has its good side. Apple growers have developed a special focus on high-quality and tasty varieties due to their many years of experience in apple cultivation.
Good for the climate
Domestic fruits get to develop their taste to the full, as they are favoured by the short transport routes. Because of this, apples can not only be harvested when they are more mature; there is also a better energy balance, as an apple from Germany needs less CO2 and also saves costs because of the shorter distances to the consumer. German manufacturers also rely on gentle methods that meet the most modern requirements when it comes to packaging and transporting the produce to the traders. For example, the apples flow through the production line to the packing station in a water bath. This prevents pressure points and keeps the skin completely intact.
For more information:
Elke Schickedanz
Deutsches Obst und Gemüse
c/o Pretzlaw Communications GmbH
Neue Schönhauser Straße 20
10178 Berlin