Fruit growing - Plum harvest begins with mixed expectations
Late frost in April has not been kind to the plums in Bavaria, according to horticulture experts. Expect harvest losses, predicts fruit growing expert Alexander Zimmermann from the Landesanstalt Weinbau und Gartenbau (LWG) in Veitshöchheim. This could result in a 30 to 40 percent decrease compared to previous years, he says. Plum fans need not worry, however. "There will definitely be enough plums," he assures.
Early varieties have already been harvested by growers in Franconia. The main varieties are expected to begin harvesting in mid-July, according to Zimmermann's estimation. These varieties are two weeks earlier this year due to the mild winter, he explains. The many spring rains have been beneficial for growth.
An area of cultivation has been halved
The problem: Many trees were already full of small fruit when frost hit in April. "The early varieties in Franconia have frozen," says Thomas Riehl from the Fränkischer Obstbauern association. Harvesting in Unterfranken will begin first, where it is warmer. Then Oberfranken will follow.
Approximately 90 percent of the plums in Bavaria are grown in Franconia - in the Forchheim district and around the Main riverbend, according to Zimmermann. About 340 hectares of land are used for growing the stone fruit. The expert notes that the cultivated area has shrunk by approximately half in the last 25 years. The main reason for this, he explains, is that farmers in retirement could not find successors and therefore had to close their businesses.
Image has suffered
After apples and sweet cherries, the plum is the third most important fruit tree crop, according to Zimmermann. The majority of the fruit goes directly into trade, about one third to bakeries and other processing companies. The image of the plum has suffered, however, according to the expert. "Durability plays a greater role in the trade 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: plums are therefore not as aromatic and sweet.
With a campaign, the LWG aims to improve the image of the plum and highlight its versatility. Starting in mid-August, many Franconian inns will offer dishes with plums. The campaign's kickoff is on the coming Tuesday at the Obstbauinformationszentrum in Hiltpoltstein, where gastronomes can try various plum products: for example, liver sausage, bratwurst, gingerbread, pralines, or balsamic vinegar.
Plum-rich enjoyment in Franconia Agricultural guidelines for growing plums
- Despite the challenges in Bavaria, particularly in Veitshöchheim, horticulture experts urge plum fans not to worry as there will still be sufficient plums due to decent harvesting in Franconia.
- Early varieties of plums in Franconia have already started being harvested, with the main harvest set to begin in mid-July, suggesting these varieties are two weeks earlier than usual due to the mild winter and the beneficial impact of spring rains.
- Unfortunately, the problem of late frost in April has resulted in a significant decrease in plum production, with experts estimating a 30 to 40 percent loss compared to previous years in Bavaria.
- Approximately 90 percent of the plums in Bavaria have historically been grown in Franconia, mainly around the district of Forchheim and the Main riverbend, occupying about 340 hectares of land, although the cultivated acreage has halved in the past 25 years due to the retirement of farmers lacking successors.
- In a bid to boost the image of plums, the Landesanstalt Weinbau und Gartenbau (LWG) has launched a campaign, aiming to showcase the diversity of plum-based dishes that will be available from mid-August in various Franconian inns across the region.
