According to organic farmer Jürgen Winkler from Zabergäu, this year's organic fruit harvest has gotten off to a particularly good start in the Heilbronn region. "We were able to harvest the first apricots in week 26, and the yields so far point to a record harvest," enthuses Winkler, who grows around a dozen varieties (including seven trial varieties) in addition to the standard Pricia and Tsunami varieties. "Due to its sensitivity to frost, we have reduced the cultivation capacity of the Tsunami variety slightly this season. In retrospect, however, there has been hardly any frost damage this year."
© Daniela Metzeler | FreshPlaza.com
The Biohof Jürgen Winkler is located in the sun-drenched Zabergäu region near Brackenheim and covers an area of 25 hectares. Its portfolio includes over a dozen crops, including tropical fruits such as persimmons. Winkler, who has been dedicated to organic fruit growing for over 30 years, is now in his third year of marketing his fruit products through biobauern.hn UG in Schwaigern, an association of several regional organic farmers. In addition to pome and stone fruit, berry cultivation has also developed into an important product pillar. "We finished our gooseberry harvest on schedule in week 27. Here, too, we had no frost losses for the first time, so we were extremely satisfied with both the yields and the quality. We also had fewer problems with mildew in cultivating the gooseberry this year."
A few years ago, the opportunity arose to take over a neighboring conventional blueberry plantation of around two hectares. Considering the conversion period, the plantation is now bearing fruit for the second year in a row. Winkler: "We started at the beginning of week 26 and expect to be able to deliver until mid-August. Thanks to irrigation, yields have been good so far, although the fruits are slightly smaller than last year."
© Daniela Metzeler | FreshPlaza.com
Regional partnerships
The berry range is rounded off by red, black, and golden currants. "We are now also supplying our berries and apricots for the first time to Pentz in Essingen, which was already being supplied with apples and vegetables by my business partner Andreas Frank (from Biohof Frank, also a member of biobauern.hn UG). Unlike the farm shops and our own box business, which we usually supply, we found that the apricots were already too ripe for this sales channel. Otherwise, the feedback from both sides has been positive so far. For example, the new buyer really likes the wood pulp trays we use to package our berries," explains Winkler.
© Daniela Metzeler | FreshPlaza.com
Growth opportunities in regional fruit growing
All in all, the innovative organic farmer is looking to the near future with confidence. "We are in an exciting time with many unpredictable factors. During the pandemic, there was suddenly more awareness of regionally produced organic products, but this was followed by an inflation dip, which had a noticeable impact on the organic sector. Overall, however, the mood is quite satisfactory, and I am also confident that the industry could develop well in the medium to long term," says Winkler (60), who is already looking for a successor and a way to ensure the continued existence of his business. "We are optimistic; talks are ongoing. What helps, of course, are the growth opportunities that fruit growing offers in our region. Viticulture is tending to decline, so good leasehold land will be available for fruit growing."
For more information:
Jürgen Winkler
biobauern.hn UG
Nordstraße 4
74193 Schwaigern
Phone: +49 7135 93767-19
[email protected]
www.bioregion-heilbronnerland.de
