Fruit juice association forecasts average orchard fruit harvest of 500,000 tons for 2024
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The Verband der deutschen Fruchtsaft-Industrie e. V. (VdF) has announced its forecast for the 2024 orchard fruit harvest. The estimates assume an average volume of around 500,000 tons. "However, this year's orchard apple harvest will vary greatly from region to region," says Klaus Heitlinger, Managing Director of the association. While in the eastern federal states and in the north of Germany the harvest expectation is consistently low due to late frosts and other climatic conditions, the main growing region of Baden-Württemberg shows a mixed picture: the harvest forecast looks good in the Lake Constance-Upper Swabia region and in the Stuttgart area. In the remaining parts of the state, the harvest is expected to be weaker. A good harvest can be expected again in large parts of Bavaria.
In the last three growing seasons from 2019 to 2022, the tree populations in the orchards have suffered greatly due to the dry summers, which is also increasingly reflected in an increased incidence of fruit and blossom diseases. This year, the apples on the trees were also damaged by hail, a factor that is less relevant in the cider fruit sector.
Klaus Heitlinger emphasizes the importance of orchards not only as an economic factor, but also as a valuable ecosystem. Over 5,000 animal and plant species find a habitat here. The diversity of fruit species and their special flavors are of great importance to fruit juice lovers, which is why special products such as orchard apple juices or quince and pear juices are very popular.
In view of the climatic challenges and the ageing of many orchards, fruit juice producers in Germany are committed to preserving and promoting the cultivation of orchards. Planting campaigns and surcharge models are just some of the measures with which producers support cultivation.
