Overall, the fruit farmers from the Alte Land are quite happy with an average harvest of very high quality, which they have been able to sell, and continue to sell, at good prices. "The stores were empty, the apple juice was used up, the trees in the orchards and home gardens bore few fruits, and little was imported from third countries - these were the best starting conditions for our harvest," says Claus Schliecker, Chairman of the Fruit Growing Specialist Group in the Lower Saxony Farmers' Association, on the situation. This constellation is also reflected in the producer prices.
"However, the low prices of 2022 were hardly to be undercut," Schliecker relativizes the good mood and recalls the dramatic liquidity situation on the farms at that time. Now the fruit farmers can take a breather. "In order to invest in new technology and new varieties, good prices are also necessary in less than perfect years," he points out the higher burden caused by the minimum wage. The fruit farmers are therefore participating in the protests against the tax increase on agricultural diesel and vehicle tax as well.
In 2022, apples were produced nationwide on an area of 33,000 hectares. According to the Federal Statistical Office, the main growing areas are in Baden-Württemberg (Lake Constance region) with 11,640 hectares, Lower Saxony (Alte Land) with 8,353 hectares, and in Saxony with 2,277 hectares.
Source: LPD