Gathering own strawberries commences in Brandenburg
Strawberry Producers in Brandenburg Adapt to Late Frosts and Climate Risks
Potsdam, Germany - With the onset of strawberry picking season, visitors are advised to verify opening times at farm estates as sudden closures may occur. Several establishments have established hotlines and updated websites for timely information regarding harvest status. Due to late frosts in May, certain areas have experienced crop losses. Neumann's Erntegarten in Potsdam has yet to commence self-picking due to extensive frost damage, anticipating a minimum three-week delay.
The Berlin Berry Garden shuttered its gardens in Oranienburg, Schönfließ, Hoppegarten, and Gatow last Wednesday, owing to a scarcity of ripe fruits. The company communicated that they might have to close again temporarily if the supply remains insufficient.
In Ahrensfelde/Elisenau, Pomona Gartenbau GmbH has introduced a WhatsApp channel to inform clients about the current varieties and operational hours. Its owner, Reiner Matthes, intends to fortify the fields against climate risks in the future through innovative techniques like Agri-Photovoltaic (Agri-PV) systems. Large sections of the strawberry harvest were ruined by the late frost, as stated in association statements. Unpredictable temperatures plummeted to -2.5°C on the night of May 6, 2025.
Matthes suggests that Agri-PV systems, which involve the employment of solar panels as a protective cover over crops, will be beneficial in mitigating climate risks for the crop in the future. The solar panels could potentially shield plants from frost, reduce wind exposure, and regulate temperature fluctuations.
BB Brandenburg Fruit GmbH also advises customers to confirm opening times, with the possibility of shutdowns during the initial days to facilitate ripening of the fruit.
According to the Garden Association Berlin-Brandenburg, strawberry cultivation in the region is declining, particularly in open fields. Around 60 agricultural companies in Brandenburg are growing strawberries under economic strain due to rising costs for operational materials, energy, wages, and legal requirements in plant protection.
As Brandenburg's strawberry producers look forward to innovative solutions for climate risks, Agri-PV is emerging as a promising long-term option. Ongoing research and pilot projects are aimed at making this technology practical and scalable for fruit farming, offering potential protection against increasing late frosts and other climate-related threats.
- Despite the challenges faced by late frosts, some Brandenburg strawberry producers have innovatively integrated Agri-Photovoltaic (Agri-PV) systems in their farming to shield their crops from frost, reduce wind exposure, and regulate temperature fluctuations, thus adapting their lifestyle and food-and-drink sector to the changing climatic conditions.
- To keep customers informed about the current ripeness of their fruits and operational hours, Pomona Gartenbau GmbH in Ahrensfelde/Elisenau has established a WhatsApp channel and several other establishments have set up hotlines and updated websites, demonstrating that the home-and-garden sector in Brandenburg is embracing contemporary communication methods to enhance customer service and ensure a flawless food-and-drink experience.
