Floods in Germany: open ground vegetable cultivation hit hardest

The persistent rainfall in mainly the East and Southeast of Germany has lead to a flood situation in the Danube, the Inn and the Elbe which hasn't been seen since 2002. The horticulture companies which have suffered are located in the areas affected or threatened by flooding. Companies who grow on the open ground are worse affected than greenhouse companies.

The water levels in the state of Bavaria - with the exception of the region around Regensburg - started to go down again last Tuesday. The highest water level is expected in Saxony on Wednesday the 5th of June. Flooding is also threatening the Southern Saxony-Anhalt and there have been floods on the Elbe and it's tributary the Mulde.

 

Saxony: Just like in 2002 the basin of the Elbe in Saxony near Dresden has been hit especially hard. The high water will probably reach the same level as in 2002. Insurer 'Gartenbau-Versicherung' expects a total damage of one to two million Euro.

 

Saxony-Anhalt: Damage in Saxony-Anhalt is mainly expected in the area where the Mulde runs into the Elbe. Especially near Jeßnitz there are multiple horticulture companies located in areas threatened by flooding. The water level could reach a similar level to 2002 here.

 

Thüringen: Near Jena, one horticulture company has been hit by the water. The company is in the basin of the Roda, which flows into the Saale in Jena. Here the water level on the nights of Friday and Saturday (31st of May/1st of June) reached it's highest level. Company ground in the region was around 30cm under water. The exact damage isn't known yet, but could be limited to less than 100,000 Euro.

 

Bavaria: Although there is very high water in the Southeast of Bavaria, the horticulture in this State has been only slightly affected. The current total damage is estimated to be 100,000 Euro at most.