- Disheartening predicament leads to substantial monastic setbacks
The juice presses are all set, but the fruits are MIA: Following substantial frost damage in the spring, cider mills in Saxony are apprehensive about the approaching main season. As reported by Andreas Mehlhorn, head of the Saxon Fruit Juice Association, the orchard region has suffered "nearly complete devastation." The frost has wrecked havoc on almost everything – apples, pears, quinces, as well as sour cherries and berries.
Traditionally, we sourced a large portion of our fruits from local gardens." The frost's impact was particularly harsh on these areas, notes Mehlhorn, who is also the CEO of Mehlhorn Fruit Juice Manufactory in Langenbernsdorf, Vogtland district. "The cider mills will only be able to process what wasn't frozen during the bloom period."
Typically, Saxon cider mills process approximately 6,000 tons of orchard fruit per season. The previous year saw a low yield of 4,500 tons. Ideal harvest years, according to Mehlhorn, can yield up to 10,000 tons. "This year, we estimate a loss of ninety to one hundred percent." 'Crushing' and 'pressing' are two terms often used interchangeably.
Anticipated price hikes for nearly all fruit varieties
Mehlhorn suspects that there will be an increase in price for nearly all fruit varieties in the fruit juice industry. Sour cherry prices have already increased by 80 to even 100% post-harvest. "However, the situation is also precarious for imported fruits." Climate change and poor citrus harvests in Brazil have also triggered a price surge there. Orange juice has become 150% more expensive over the past 1.5 years. "These trends are gradually affecting the fruit juice market and the end-consumer."
In the past, cider mills have had to deal with harvest losses, says Jens Guhr of Schone Kelterei, which produces Hellerauer fruit juices in Dresden. "But that usually affected only one fruit variety. I can't recall a case like this, where a late frost wiped out everything." For instance, a poor apple year could have been compensated by a good quince harvest, Guhr explains. "Processing of berry fruits is already completed and highlights the dire situation." This affected sour cherries and blackcurrants. Fruit had to be purchased at high cost from other regions.
The situation could be existential for businesses
Similarly, Guhr anticipates a drop of up to 90% for the apple juice season, which begins at the end of August and is the mainstay of Hellerauer fruit juices. "There are few inquiries or registrations from private customers, it's noticeably quiet." Normally, the cider mill processes fruit from private customers into juice, while also producing products from regional fruit growers for trade and catering. "This could be an existential year for all cider mills. Necessary investments might be cancelled," says Guhr. In previous years, Schone Kelterei produced a variety of juices from 250 tons of fruit.
Similarly, Bernd Beer, head of Mylau Pressing Plant in Reichenbach, Vogtland, anticipates a loss of up to 90% in this year's apple season. "We are a contract pressing plant and heavily dependent on a good apple harvest from our customers." Normally, 1,500 tons of apples are processed. "This year, not much will come together, we'll have to find a way to cope with that."
The mood among the roughly 30 cideries in the state is tense, according to Mehlhorn. "Not just due to raw material prices. Energy costs are a burden." The prices of all other operating supplies have also significantly increased over the past three years.
Despite the difficulties in obtaining sufficient fruits due to the frost damage, the cider mills still need to find alternative sources for [Food and drink], such as purchasing from other regions at higher costs. This situation could potentially lead to a rise in the prices of various fruit [Food and drink] products in the fruit juice industry.
The severe impact of the frost has put many cider mills in a challenging financial situation, potentially leading to [Food and drink] shortages and even existential threats for some businesses. The lack of fruits might force these mills to cancel necessary investments.
