This year's apple harvest has now begun in most German growing regions. Harvest forecasts vary widely, according to estimates so far.
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The reigning Lake Constance Apple Queen, Emelie Witzigman. The official start of the season will take place on August 28 in Markdorf.
Lake Constance: Slight decline in harvest expected
The apple harvest has begun on Lake Constance and promises excellent quality despite a slight decline in volume. "We expect around 227,000 tons of apples in the region, around 10% less than in 2024, but at a consistently high level in terms of taste, color, and fruit quality," says the marketer Obst vom Bodensee GmbH. With a share of around 45% of national production, the Lake Constance region remains indispensable – especially at a time when Germany's self-sufficiency rate for apples is only 57%, they emphasize.
Altes Land: Good water supply pays off this year
There is still no precise forecast for the harvest volume in the Altes Land region, but it is looking good, according to Obstbauversuchsanstalt in Jork. The reason for this is the good water supply in the Altes Land region. This was not necessary at all recently due to the rain in recent weeks. However, water is also important in spring because it can protect the apple blossoms from frost. If temperatures drop below zero, the blossoms are sprayed with water. This creates a thin layer of ice that protects the delicate buds from the cold.
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: Half of average harvest expected
Apple growers in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are expecting a poor harvest this year. Around 15,000 tons of apples are expected, said fruit growing consultant Rolf Hornig from LMS Agrarberatung after surveying growers. This is significantly less than the average of 28,000 tons over the last five years. Frost damage and sunburn are causing fruit growers extreme problems this year.
Hesse: Hailstones lead to crop failures
Shortly before the apple harvest in Hesse, fruit growers and cider producers are expecting good yields. "There has been enough rain. The trees are full," says Madeleine Ball, spokeswoman for the Association of Hessian Apple Wine and Fruit Juice Producers. However, the situation is more difficult on the fresh market, said Andreas Klein, chairman of the Hessian State Association for Commercial Fruit Growing. Fruit growers are basically happy with the current changeable weather conditions, with rain, clouds, and little sun. "The water doesn't hurt, of course. We've been waiting a long time for it," said Klein, referring to the heatwave at the end of June and beginning of July. However, the problem is that the rain is not distributed evenly and often falls in the form of isolated extreme weather events. "These differences are very noticeable."
Large hailstones threatened to dent the fruit on the trees. The only thing that helps is a hail protection net, Klein added. However, not all farms are equipped with this protection. The result for many is crop losses. This was also the case for Klein himself. Apple trees without protective nets were damaged by hailstones twice last week. "Up to 40 percent of them are ruined," said the association chairman. No one wants cider in August, which is why he has to throw away the damaged apples. In a process known as thinning, the damaged fruit is picked and thrown on the ground to promote the growth of the undamaged fruit.
North Rhine-Westphalia: Early apple harvest with good results
The early apple harvest has already been completed at Obsthof Unterweiden in Tönisvorst in the Rhineland. So far, it has been a normal, relaxed year. January was not "super cold," and frost irrigation only had to be used for a few nights. The spring was sunny with plenty of light, and there had been no excessively hot days so far. "A little rain now and then and temperatures between 20 and 25 degrees," is how Panzer describes the ideal weather, which would continue to be particularly good for the apples. If this is accompanied by cool nights around ten degrees, it would be perfect.
Saarland: Normal harvest time
At the beginning of the summer, it looked as if the fruit in Saarland could be harvested up to two weeks earlier than usual. However, the rain and cooler temperatures in July have pushed the expected harvest time back to normal. For example, the main harvest for apples is expected to begin in September as usual.
