Strawberry growers are concerned about their crop yield.
Because of the mild winter, the strawberry crop is booming right now. However, farmers are concerned that the heavy rainfall in recent days may negatively affect yields. Strawberries can't be harvested when they're wet, and fungi pose a threat to Germany's favorite fruit.
As we approach "German Strawberry Day" on May 24th, farmers can't help but worry about the gloomy skies above. The rainy weather is causing concern for everyone involved in strawberry production. To combat the potential impact of rot, farmers are using mulch film and straw.
In the aftermath of the heavy rainfall, particularly in western Germany, strawberry farmers are hoping for a change in the weather. "Due to the mild winter, many farmers have already planted their early varieties," said Simon Schumacher from the Association of South German Asparagus and Strawberry Growers in Bruchsal near Karlsruhe. If strawberries are wet, they can't be harvested, which reduces their shelf life. There's also a risk of Botrytis fungi in damp conditions.
Schumacher added, "We're also fortunate that it's not too warm or humid." A worsened fungal problem could arise under these circumstances. "Hygiene picking" is always necessary to remove rotten fruit. "You have to keep a keen eye on that."
While 25 degrees, slightly cloudy, and not humid would be ideal, the fruit needs time to ripen so it can develop flavors and sugars. If it gets too hot, the strawberries would suddenly turn red but remain softer and become more susceptible to fungal diseases.
The season's progress varies from region to region. On average, it's been going well, with foil tunnels allowing German-grown strawberries to be saved during late frosts in April. However, there are significant regional differences, depending on the amount of rainfall. For instance, the northern and eastern parts experienced little to no issues, but demand has dropped in other areas due to weather-related vacations. Every household ate 4.13 kilograms of strawberries last year, with about half coming from domestic production.
Despite these challenges, Schumacher predicts strawberry prices will average around the same level as last year, assuming the weather improves. The cost of living has decreased and the minimum wage has increased slightly. There's no shortage of workers due to the weather causing shorter workdays in some places. The season's duration depends mostly on the weather, with it potentially ending around the end of June. To highlight the importance of strawberries, the industry is observing the first "German Strawberry Day" this Friday with special promotions.
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Source: www.ntv.de
