German gooseberries have experienced an interesting renaissance in recent years, he says. Instead of the 'old', green and tart varieties, it is predominantly red, somewhat 
sweeter gooseberries that can be found in stores these days. "Demand continues to rise from year to year, and this year we can again look back on a good harvest campaign with pleasing quantities and qualities," sums up Johannes Quast of Schneiders Obsthof, fruit producer from Drachenfelser Ländchen near Bonn.
Right: The marketing season has now been completed
Today, Quast grows gooseberries on about 35 hectares for Frutania GmbH in nearby Grafschaft. Gooseberry production began in 2015 with the first commercial harvest on a modest three hectares. "So far, we have produced the two varieties Xenia and Achilles. We have now added another variety called Laprima to our portfolio and find that this new variety is less susceptible to powdery mildew in cultivation and also has a good taste. We plan to gradually extend the German marketing season with this late variety in the coming years."
German gooseberries of the Achilles (left) and La Prima varieties.
Currently, gooseberries are available for about five to six weeks, from early June to mid-July, he said. Given the increasing demand, there is further potential for growth, Quast predicts. "After the end of the German harvest, we store goods, similar to currants, for example. In the CA warehouse, the goods already last for more than two to three weeks. We want to extend this to five to six weeks in the near future. However, we are still searching for the optimum storage conditions for gooseberries. However, results so far indicate that the Xenia and Laprima have better storability compared to the Achilles."
Insight into gooseberry cultivation at the Wachtberg fruit farm
Gooseberries are offered mainly in 500 gram trays. "In addition, we also offer 400 gram trays as well as foiled goods. Late marketing in 250g trays makes sense, since certain gooseberry varieties are so storable," Quast describes in conclusion.
Images: Schneiders Fruit Farm
Futher information:
Johannes Quast
Schneiders Obsthof
Kürrighovener Str. 41
D-53 343 Wachtberg
fon: +49 (0) 228 85 44 77-0
fax: +49 (0) 228 85 44 77-22
[email protected]
www.schneiders-obsthof.de
