Agriculture - Grain farmers hope for a good harvest - poor outlook for fruit
Good wheat harvests in sight, rather poor ones for the plums: The prospects of Bavarian agriculture are split in these days. "The wheat stocks present themselves currently mainly in a good developmental stage", the Agriculture Ministry shared. Based on the current status, one is expecting a median to slightly above-average wheat harvest.
The crops are standing quite well throughout Bavaria, said Anton Huber, grain and oilseed expert at the Bavarian Farmers' Association (BBV). So far, there has been enough water and heat.
Total failures due to floods
For years, droughts have posed challenges for farmers and reduced yields. But this year, it rained too frequently. Or even too much: In areas affected by floods in the early June, farmers and farmer's wives are reporting total failures. Fields were under water for days, so that the crops could no longer be harvested. Hail has also caused local damages.
According to figures from the Bavarian State Office for Statistics, around 6.2 million tons of grain were harvested in Bayern last year. That was 1.2 percent more than in the particularly dry and hot summer 2022 - but a decline of 3.1 percent compared to the average of the years 2017 to 2022.
No significant impact on federal harvest
The German Agricultural Cooperative (DRV) does not expect the heavy rains of the past weeks to have noticeable effects on the federal harvest. "The flood-like downpours have caused significant damages regionally. This, however, does not affect the overall yield", said DRV grain market expert Guido Seedler.
Significantly fewer plums
The situation for fruit growers is different: Not only have the cherries suffered from late frost, but also the plums. Experts therefore expect yield losses. In comparison to previous years, there are expected to be 30 to 40 percent fewer plums, said fruit growing expert Alexander Zimmermann from the Bavarian Wine and Horticulture Research Institute (LWG) in Veitshöchheim. Fans of the plum variety should not worry about shortages in his opinion. "There is definitely enough plums."
Early varieties have already been harvested by farmers in Franconia. According to Zimmermann's estimation, the harvest of the main varieties will begin around mid-July.
An acreage has been halved
The problem: When it froze in April, many trees were already full of small fruits. "The early varieties have frozen in Franconia", said Thomas Riehl from the Fränkischer Obstbauverein.
Approximately 90 percent of the plums in Bayern, according to LWG expert Zimmermann, are grown in Franconia - in the Landkreis Forchheim and around the Main loop. On about 340 hectares, the stone fruit grows there. The acreage has therefore shrunk in the last 25 years to roughly half its size. The reason for this, according to him, is mainly that farmers in retirement could not find successors and therefore had to close their businesses.
Image has suffered
According to Zimmermann, after apples and sour cherries, the plum (Zwetschge in German) is the third most important fruit tree variety. Most of the fruits go directly into trade, about one third are processed by bakeries and other processing industries. However, the image of the plum has suffered, according to the expert. "In trade, fruit firmness plays a greater role than taste." Therefore, plums are often picked a few days too early to prevent them from becoming too soft. In contrast to apples, they do not ripen further: therefore, plums are not as aromatic and sweet.
With a campaign, the LWG aims to improve the image of the plum and highlight its versatility. From mid-August, many Franconian inns should offer dishes with plums. The kick-off of the action is on the coming Tuesday at the Fruit Growing Information Centre in Hiltpoltstein, where gastronomes can try various plum products: for example, liver sausage, bratwursts, gingerbread, pralines or balsamic vinegar.
- Despite the poor harvest for plums, the Bavarian Farmers' Association (BBV) reports that the crops are generally standing well throughout Bavaria.
- In Franconia, early varieties of plums have already been harvested, and the main varieties are expected to begin around mid-July.
- According to expert Alexander Zimmermann from the Bavarian Wine and Horticulture Research Institute (LWG), there will be 30 to 40 percent fewer plums compared to previous years.
- Due to the heavy rains and floods in some areas, the German Agricultural Cooperative (DRV) does not expect a significant impact on the federal harvest.
- In areas affected by floods, farmers have reported total failures due to the crops being under water for days, preventing harvesting.
- The acreage for plum cultivation has been significantly reduced in the last 25 years, down to roughly half its size, primarily due to farmers retiring and not being able to find successors.
