A generous summer for German cherry growing: production rebounds compared to 2024 and favorable climatic conditions.
German fruit-growing companies can celebrate a particularly positive cherry harvest season. According to the final data released by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) as of August 20, 2025, the total cherry harvest reached 47,100 tons, marking a 4.2% increase compared to the 2015–2024 ten-year average.
The lion’s share was taken by sweet cherries, which accounted for 79% of the total harvest, equal to 37,300 tons. The remaining 9,800 tons (21%) consisted of sour cherries. Compared with 2024 — a year marked by very disappointing results — there was a clear recovery: the total cherry production increased by 11,700 tons, up 33.1%.
Specifically, the sweet cherry harvest recorded a 33.6% growth compared to the previous year, exceeding by 9,400 tons the drastically reduced volume of 2024. Even when compared with the ten-year average (32,900 tons), the 2025 season shows a positive balance of 13.3%.
At the core of these strong results were optimal climatic conditions during flowering: the season unfolded without spring frosts or significant hailstorms in the main growing areas.
Currently, sweet cherries are grown in Germany on about 5,700 hectares, with Baden-Württemberg confirming itself as the national leader with 2,600 hectares under cultivation. Here, 17,600 tons were harvested, representing 47% of the national total.
Behind Baden-Württemberg is Lower Saxony, with 5,000 tons harvested on just 480 hectares, showing high productivity per area. Although Rhineland-Palatinate (660 ha) and Bavaria (540 ha) have larger growing areas, the quantities harvested were lower: 3,700 tons and 1,800 tons respectively.
It is interesting to note the variations compared to 2024: while in Baden-Württemberg production fell slightly by 250 tons (-1%), in Lower Saxony there was a 67% surge, and even greater increases came from Rhineland-Palatinate (+76%) and Bavaria (+30%).
These territorial differences are explained by the anomalous trend of the previous year: in 2024, Baden-Württemberg recorded an exceptionally positive season, while the other regions were severely affected by adverse weather events.
The 2025 season marks a significant recovery for German cherry growing, driven by favorable weather and a return to average production in many areas. If weather conditions continue to support cultivation, the sector could be heading towards a phase of greater production stability, with positive effects also on European exports.
Source: fruitnet.com
Image source: Fruchthandel Magazin
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