In the summer of this year, German orchards experienced a below-average cherry harvest, significantly less than initially estimated. According to the final estimates from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) as of August 20, a total of 40,200 tons of cherries were picked. Compared to the above-average yield of 48,700 tons in 2022, this represented a decrease of about 8,500 tons, or 17.5%.
It was also 14.7% smaller compared to the average yield from 2013 to 2022, which was 47,100 tons. The initial preliminary estimate made on June 10, 2023, had projected a harvest of 45,400 tons. The lower cherry harvest was attributed to factors such as an early flowering season, late frosts in certain regions, which negatively affected the fruits, as well as pest infestations and local storms with heavy rainfall leading to reduced yields.
The final estimate for the sweet cherry harvest in 2023, according to Destatis, was 32,400 tons, which was 6,100 tons, or 15.9%, less than the previous year and 900 tons, or 2.8%, less than the ten-year average of 33,300 tons.
Sweet cherries are cultivated on a total of 5,700 hectares in Germany, with Baden-Württemberg being the largest state with 2,600 hectares and harvesting over 42% of the popular fruits, totaling 13,800 tons. Niedersachsen ranked second with 5,000 tons of sweet cherries from 500 hectares, followed by Rheinland-Pfalz with 2,800 tons from 700 hectares.
Read the full article: Fruchthandel
20 Oct 2023
The step taken by S-21 was to successfully overcome the first institutional constraint, being unanimously approved by the INIA's Regional Committee for the Release of New Varieties, a milestone for regional and national fruit growing.
20 Mar 2026
A study in Spain examines an evergrowing sweet cherry genotype unable to enter dormancy. The research highlights altered expression of DAM genes and offers new insights for genetic improvement and adaptation to climate change in temperate fruit crops.
04 May 2026
In France, the first Royal Tioga cherries reach the shelves as early as April thanks to protective systems against wind and rain. Early production reduces competition, improves growers’ margins and allows prices of up to €14 per kilo at the start of the season.
04 May 2026
In 2026, UK sweet cherries confirm growth, quality gains and steady retail demand. With production forecast at 8,000 tonnes, the key challenge will be diversifying across retail, wholesale and export to capture value during seasonal peaks while reducing waste and big discounting.
