Southwest region initiates cherry picking season - Southwest region experiencing peak cherry-picking season
Cherry Harvest in Southwest Germany Underway, Yields Show Promising Signs
Amidst the onset of spring, cherry harvesting has commenced in some regions of Southwest Germany. In the Baden area surrounding Offenburg, cherries are already available for purchase, albeit with pockets of frost damage reported by local growers.
Traditional fruit-growing regions, such as the Oberkirch area in Ortenau, have been affected differently by the recent cold spells, with harvest schedules varying from place to place. Kathrin Walter-Zeller, the managing director of the Baden-Württemberg Fruit Growers' Association, shares an overall positive outlook on this year's cherry harvest.Typically, the Ortenau region is the first to complete its harvest, followed by the Neckar Valley and Lake Constance region.
Last year's harvest in the Southwest saw a notable improvement, according to the Statistical Office. The region yielded 17,800 tons of sweet cherries, marking a 30 percent jump compared to 2023, and 3,900 tons of sour cherries—nearly five times more than the previous year's crop. The surge in production points to a favorable environment for fruit cultivation in the region, though it's too early to predict similar results for the 2024 season.
The Baden-Württemberg Fruit Growers' Association may need to update their employment policy as the promising cherry harvest could potentially lead to increased demand for seasonal labor. Additionally, home-and-garden owners in the region, with an interest in lifestyle choices, may find it advantageous to purchase local cherries, supporting both the local economy and the community policy of sustainability.
