The blueberry harvest in Lower Saxony is at full blast. The berries are carefully picked by hand and aren't just tasty but also especially healthy: They contain, among other things, vitamins C, A, B1, iron and calcium, as the Landvolk Press-Service reports. "This year's harvest has sadly suffered twice. First it was hit by the frost period in spring, during blossom. Later it suffered from the continuous heavy rainfalls in summer. The harvest will therefore not yield as much as we were expecting," estimates Conrad Hogrefe from Eickeloh in the area of Heide, of the Association of German Blueberry Farmers. Furthermore, the number of starlings, which feed on the berries, was unusually high. Additionally, the harvest period is shortened, as the blueberries are picked 'compactly' due to their short window of ripening. People who love the fruit are urged to act quickly, before the harvest is over again. With an acreage of 1,800 ha on open fields, the blueberry is the most important bush berry in Lower Saxony. The acidic soil, predominant in many regions, offers ideal circumstances for the berries. The season was officially kicked-off on July 7th.
The statistics bureau in Lower Saxony (LSN) is currently estimating strawberry yields of 32,000 tons, significantly lower than last year. If these numbers turn out to be accurate, it will be the lowest yielding season since 2013. Reasons for the decrease are the unfavorable weather as well as the continuous reduction of open field acreage. The area for strawberries in foiled tunnels and greenhouses has expanded by over 50% from 2,000t to 3,100t. This kind of cultivation ensures a relatively safe production, regardless of weather conditions.
Source: Landvolk