The German apple season drawing near. After the summer initially gave the producers hot and dry weather, it has noticeably cooled down over the last weeks. “The weather of the past two weeks was very good for the upcoming harvest”, a grower from Baden-Wurttemberg explains. “The weather is currently optimal – cool nights and sunny days. This makes us have a positive outlook regarding the upcoming harvest.”
Somewhat smaller harvest
The grower explains the situation: “We will begin with our harvest in the coming week. We cannot yet exactly say how the harvest will turn out, but initial prognoses show, that this year’s harvest will turn out a bit smaller. We believe that we will be about 25 percent under the level of last year.” The fruit size cannot be determined yet, says the specialist. “No tendency is showing here yet. Some things can still change in the coming weeks. Currently however, we can assume that the many hours of sun of the past weeks will have a positive effect on the colouring of the apples.
The eyes turn towards Asia
The grower looks positively at the upcoming campaign. “Many producers will not be able to achieve a year like last year any more”, he explains. “But we are prepared for such a situation this year. In the course of last campaign we have opened up new distribution channels and markets, and furthermore the prices are a bit better. Especially the prices for cider apples are higher than last year. “The main sales market for German apples is and will remain the German market. We are nevertheless looking towards Asia. We believe that the market there will grow in the coming 15 to 20 years. Which is why we are also already establishing and maintaining our relations with Asia.”
Producers need to make money too
“Exact prognoses are very difficult to make”, says the grower. “However, we are positive that the campaign of 2015/2016 will be better than the last.” If prices do not improve markedly this season, this could have serious consequences for many producers. The wholesale trader appropriately describes the situation: “The producers need to earn money with their products as well.”
