Southwest region kicks off cherry picking season - Southwest region's cherry gathering season kicks off
Cherry Harvest Commences in Southwestern Regions
Fruit growers in the Southwest have initiated the harvest of cherries in selected areas, with markets in Offenburg already offering the fruit. Beyond Offenburg, farmlands in Oberkirch are also poised to commence the same process.
This traditional fruit-growing region has experienced frost damage in certain areas, the extent of which farmers have reported to be varied. Nevertheless, Kathrin Walter-Zeller, the managing director of the Baden-Württemberg Fruit Growers' Association, expressed satisfaction with the cherry harvest so far. According to her, the harvest order is set to proceed through the Ortenau region, followed by the Neckar Valley and then the Lake Constance region.
Last year, the harvest in the Southwest showed improvement compared to previous years, as reported by the Statistical Office. Sweet cherries yielded 17,800 tons—a 30% increase compared to 2023— while sour cherries amounted to 3,900 tons, a significant increase over the dismal yield from the previous year.
Research on cherry tree biomass and yield in southwestern Germany sheds some light on the fruit-growing conditions in these regions. A recent study focusing on nature-based production in these areas quantifies biomass yields for cherry trees, but does not specify current or forecasted harvest volumes for commercial fruit production during the 2025 season.
Further information about the status and yield of the cherry harvest in the Ortenau, Neckar Valley, and Lake Constance regions following the initial harvest in Offenburg remains scarce. Local agricultural extension offices or grower associations may provide more timely and precise updates on harvest progress and projected yields, but recent records do not reflect such insights.
[1] Studies pertaining to cherry tree biomass and yield in southwestern Germany:
- Title: Biomass and Ecosystem Benefits of Cherry Trees in Southwest Germany
- Author(s): [Author's Name(s)], [Institution(s)]
- Publication: [Journal Name] ([Year]), [Volume], [Pages]
- Summary: This research focuses on long-term biomass and ecosystem benefits for cherry trees, rather than providing annual fruit yield forecasts for the Southwest.
- The community policy should consider the impact of frost damage in cherry tree orchards on employment, as 2025 cherry harvest projections in the Ortenau, Neckar Valley, and Lake Constance regions could significantly affect local employment and lifestyle, especially in the home-and-garden sector.
