Apples are still the most cultivated fruit in Brandenburg. The first preliminary estimations suggest an expected apple harvest of 26.86 metric tons per hectare.
That means a total apple yield of 22,500 metric tons. In other words good harvest but no record, such as last year with 31.83 metric tons per hectare.
Harvests
The average per capita consumption in Germany was 9 kilos in 2014. The harvest could have been better, however the weather, especially the frost, influence the total yield. The apple yield is a large factor in the commercial fruit production in Brandenburg. The main areas are in the regions Märkisch-Oderland, Potsdam-Mittelmark as well as in the area of Frankfurt (Oder).
Competition from Poland, Austria and other German states
The Russian import ban for European food has affected the Brandenburg fruit producers. Poland cultivates fruit on about 10,000 hectares and used to supply Russia. And supplies now, at bottom prices, the EU and thus Germany. Furthermore the Austrian fruit farmers have also lost their important export partner, Russia. Even in Germany there is competition as certain regions used to produce considerable amounts of fruit to export to Russia.
The EU support program too bureaucratic
The extended EU support program (2014) wasn’t used in 2015 since the Horticulture Association considers the program too bureaucratic.
Customers are popular
Even more important is the support of the consumers. Several organizations organize, especially for locally grown apples, project activities and advertisement campaigns.