Enhancing value creation through business analyses, pear cultivation, resilient varieties, or digitalization and Agri-PV: There are numerous approaches to sustain food production in Germany and the region. Ahead of Fruchtwelt Bodensee (February 23 to 25, 2024), it becomes clear: The political conditions in Germany are pushing producer families of labor-intensive and weather-dependent fruits to their limits. Following a bountiful harvest in 2022, about 13 percent fewer table apples, totaling 226,000 tons, were harvested at Lake Constance in 2023. However, these are currently fetching higher market prices due to lower harvests in Germany and Europe. Notably, German production of table pears increased by three percent to 37,000 tons, with Lake Constance seeing a 13 percent increase in pear harvest compared to the previous year, under very good market prospects.
Fruchtwelt Bodensee 2024 reaches a high level with 350 exhibitors from 15 nations. "Regardless of the economic industry situation, we serve as a marketplace and an important international platform for information and exchange. The visits by the Federal and State Ministers of Agriculture, Cem Özdemir and Peter Hauk, underline the significant role that Fruchtwelt Bodensee plays in the industry for fruit growers, farmers, and distillers," emphasize fair manager Klaus Wellmann and project manager Sharon Kommer. Expert lectures organized with industry partners highlight the program of the 42nd Lake Constance Fruit Growing Days. At the opening event followed by a panel discussion, Baden-Württemberg's Minister of Agriculture Peter Hauk and representatives from fruit cultivation, distribution, and society will address the levers along the value chain for a sustainable, regional fruit production. "In recent years, agricultural operations have been subjected to excessive restrictions, additional burdens, and bureaucratic laws. The increased energy costs, the high and rising minimum wage, and the growing harvest risks are putting too much strain on fruit-growing families.
Exhibitors at last year's Fruchtwelt Bodensee
Since September 2023, revenues for apples have also increased for producers, but the increase is largely consumed by the risen production and marketing costs, and break-even has not yet been achieved. The competitive disadvantages with other European countries and high price pressure are gradually leading to the abandonment of unprofitable cultures and entire operations. There is a looming shift of domestic fruit production to European foreign countries and even greater dependence on imports," explain Erich Röhrenbach and Thomas Heilig, chairpersons of the Lake Constance Fruit Region Association, emphasizing: "Our goal is to achieve a stable balance between the economic success of domestic operations, environmental protection, and societal demands in the future."
Several factors in production will be explored through lectures at the trade fair in Friedrichshafen, such as the cultivation of resilient varieties, which have already been tested in model facilities. A study on the CO2 footprint of Lake Constance apples is of interest. A significant factor here is cooling. Therefore, the results of the Lake Constance Fruit Growing Competence Center (KOB), which for the first time tested sustainable cooling systems of the future under practical conditions and will share its experiences in a lecture, are also relevant. In addition, the KOB will summarize initial results of its study in the Agri-Photovoltaic pilot plant, investigating whether and with which apple varieties healthy growth and high-quality fruit yield are possible.
Pear cultivation with potential
Renowned fruit market expert Helwig Schwartau encourages increased pear production: "The sales potential in the German pear market is not being utilized, which pear varieties to plant?" is his lecture topic. Currently, only 20 percent of domestic demand is met by local production, and the retail food industry desires more consistent supply of German pears. The numbers speak for themselves: Europe-wide, about 1.7 million tons of table pears were harvested, around 13 percent less than the previous year, with Germany producing 37,000 tons of them. In the Lake Constance region, about 8,000 tons of table pears were harvested, around 12 percent more than the previous year, with a good price development for the producers.
Digitalization: Research on groundbreaking developments
Especially considering the continuously rising minimum wage, the topic of digitalization is gaining importance. "It is estimated that about 600 labor hours per hectare of core fruit plantation are needed per year, and realistically, the minimum wage will soon be at 14 euros per hour," calculates Dr. Hermann Gabele, head of the Bodenseekreis District Office, emphasizing: "Digitalization offers many beneficial opportunities for farmers and the entire agricultural sector. Specifically, in labor-intensive special culture and core fruit cultivation, digitalization has the potential to optimize agricultural processes, improve environmental impacts, and strengthen the competitiveness of farms. I expect that in the coming years, digital and automated developments will be offered in the core fruit sector." The current possibilities and the options being researched will be presented in a lecture series on Sunday at the fair.
Orchards provide exquisite spirits in challenging times
Advancing bureaucratism, a regionally small harvest due to frost damage, sharply increased gas prices along with the associated high costs for bottles: Small fruit distillers face major challenges, and the demands on politics are clear: "Among other things, an increase in the quota from 300 to 500 liters is being considered to improve economic efficiency," reports Andreas Metzler, state chairman of the Association of Small and Fruit Distillers of South Württemberg-Hohenzollern, emphasizing: "Our ecologically valuable orchards yield wonderful fruits for us. Distilling is a high cultural asset that we cherish." Thus, the association presents exquisite spirits from its members at its stand at Fruchtwelt Bodensee, which have been awarded gold and silver at the state brandy and liqueur awards. "Playing with flavors is fascinating, and the younger generation is showing an increased interest in production. This is evident, for example, in the rising number of participants in the final classes for the professional distillery craft," reports Metzler.
For more information:
https://www.fruchtwelt-bodensee.de/de/