obstacle - Substantial deficits in cherry harvest in Hessen
The cherry harvest in Hessen is expected to be meager this year. According to the Hessian Farmers' Association, the cherry season 2024 was, on average, below average to poor. "Overall, there is a significant decrease in production. Unstable weather has affected the sensitive fruit," said Marie-Claire von Spee of the German Press Agency. The early cherries were affected by frost at the beginning of the season, with some orchards being frozen. "After that, there was heavy rain, causing up to 95% of the cherries to burst," she added.
Later varieties were slightly better in terms of yield. "However, the cherries were not as durable. There was a lot of sorting work to be done," said von Spee. The season is almost over everywhere or will end in the coming days.
Losses of up to 80% in Nordhessen
"The situation is similar to that of 2017, when there was a total failure," said Christian Wedemeier, fruit advisor at the Landesbetrieb Landwirtschaft Hessen. In the southern Hessian growing areas, the loss was around 40 to 50%, but in Nordhessen, it was 60 to 80%. "Night frosts at the end of April, when the cherries were in full bloom, caused massive losses." Due to the frequent rainfall, up to a quarter to a third of the remaining cherries in Hessen have burst.
Cherry thefts are also causing problems for growers. They have increased significantly this year, reported von Spee. Up to 150 kilograms of cherries have been stolen per night in some cases. "Some farmers have joined forces, even with the fruit and garden association, and have hired security services for the night," she said. If the orchards are close to the farm, there are fewer thefts.
Cherry thefts are becoming a bigger problem
The problem is getting worse every year, said Wedemeier. "In Southern Hesse, the thieves have even stopped picking the cherries and have cut down the branches instead." This causes significant damage, as the side branches are essential for the health of the tree and future yield. In addition, the time and effort required for crown development over several years is wasted.
In Hessen, three major growing areas play a significant role: the self-proclaimed "Cherry Land" around Witzenhausen in the northwestern Werra-Meißner district, as well as Wiesbaden-Frauenstein and Friedberg-Ockstadt, the "Cherry Village" in the Wetterau. According to the Statistical Office, cherries are grown on a total of approximately 238 hectares in the state. The majority of these are sweet cherries. Sour cherries are hardly grown in Hessen anymore, according to Wedemeier.
- The cherry orchards in North Hesse, known as Nordhessen, have experienced significant losses, with up to 80% of the fruits failing to mature due to nights of frost during blooming and excessive rain later in the season.
- The German Press Agency reported that the farming conditions in Hesse this year are reminiscent of 2017, when a total failure of the cherry harvest occurred.
- The frequent thefts of cherries in Hesse have become a more pressing issue this year, with some farmers collaborating with local associations to hire night-time security services to protect their orchards.
- Despite the challenges faced by cherry farmers in Hesse, particularly in areas such as Nordhessen, there are still significant cherry-growing regions in the state, including Witzenhausen, Wiesbaden-Frauenstein, and Friedberg-Ockstadt.
