- The Harvesting Process in Thuringia Commences
In Thuringia, the grape gathering has commenced. Near Weimar, the initial grapes were plucked, as indicated by Sebastian Didt from the agricultural cooperative Gleina, situated in Saxony-Anhalt. This cooperative oversees around 50 hectares in the vicinity of the classic city.
However, the Thuringian winery in Bad Sulza delayed the scheduled commencement of the harvest on Tuesday due to rainy weather, as Andreas Claus, the manager explained. It remains uncertain if it will commence on Thursday or extend until the following week.
Didt discussed the excellent grape quality. This is also due to the frost damage. "Since the plant didn't have to put out as much energy, it channeled its strength into the few grapes," Didt explained. Regardless, this doesn't compensate for the losses. He estimates that only 30 to 50 percent of the usual yield can be harvested.
A frost night at the end of April resulted in substantial losses for vine and fruit farmers this year. The Ministry of Agriculture estimated the losses for the apple harvest to be 87 percent less than last year's yield. For sweet cherries, plums, and apricots, the losses are around 80 percent, and for wine, they are 60 percent. Around Weimar, efforts were made to address the issue with fires and water sprinklers, Didt reported, but it wasn't enough.
Despite the challenges, the cooperative is still committed to the successful completion of the [Harvesting of grapes]. Despite the frost damage, the grapes show excellent quality, with the plant focusing its energy into the few remaining ones.
