VdF forecast 2022 is available: Fruit juice producers expect only an average fruit crop of 500,000 tonnes
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According to the Association of the German Fruit Juice Industry (VdF), only an average fruit crop of 500,000 tonnes is expected this year. This is the result of the fruit crop estimates which were completed this week. In about five weeks the harvest will start on the meadow orchards in Germany. "We had hoped for a higher harvest volume due to the alternance, but the declining yield potential of the orchard stands in Germany is becoming more evident every year," explains VdF Managing Director Klaus Heitlinger. The consequences of the current drought could also have a significant impact on the forecast, as fruit size is currently below average. "If the hot and dry weather continues, a reduction in the crop size is to be expected. The trees will drop many apples prematurely and the apples remaining on the tree will not grow. Every missing centimetre in the diameter of the apple results in a 30 percent lower yield," Heitlinger continues.
This year, the orchard season got off to a good start. After a lush blossom at the end of April/beginning of May, the trees were able to produce many fruits in the rhythm of alternation, i.e. alternating strong and weak harvest years. But the development of the fruits was disproportionately low due to the decline in rainfall for many years. The trees no longer have any reserves to supply the apples with sufficient water and nutrients and for this reason have already dropped many fruits prematurely. If there is no more significant rainfall in the next five weeks until the start of the harvest, the apples will remain relatively small, which could still have a significant impact on yields. Just as every additional centimetre in the diameter of the apple can increase the yield by about 30 percent, this yield will be missing if the apple stops growing.
Climate stress and overaged trees
The trees in the orchards have been under enormous climatic stress for several years: late night frosts during the blossoming season, persistent hot spells in the summer months and the overall lack of water have weakened the trees and made them more susceptible to diseases such as black bark blight, a fungal disease that leads to black spots on the bark and, in the worst case, causes the trees to die. In addition, many trees are infested with mistletoe, which further depletes the tree. Since many orchard stands are also overaged or are no longer maintained and managed, the raw fruit situation becomes more problematic for juice producers from year to year, as important quantities for juice production are missing.
Orchard ecosystem
In Germany, around 250,000 hectares of meadow orchards are still being cultivated. In addition to their economic importance, they provide a valuable habitat for over 5,000 animal and plant species as a botanical cultural asset that urgently needs to be protected. Fruit juice producers also promote orchard cultivation, contribute to conservation through planting campaigns and use the diversity of fruit species and their special flavours for fruit juice production. Special offers such as meadow orchard apple juices or quince and pear juices are particularly appreciated by juice lovers who place a lot of value on the distinctive, characteristic variety of flavours of these mostly naturally cloudy juices.
