Strawberry Season Kicks Off in Thuringia: Challenges Ahead for Growers
Strawberries successfully picked in Thuringia for the first time - Strawberries successfully picked in Thuringia's cultivation fields
Get ready for those juicy red berries! Thuringia, the sun bathed Free State, is full of the sweet scent of the strawberry season! Despite the early sunshine and a chill in the air, the strawberry picking has officially begun.
According to the Thuringian Department of Agriculture, a whopping 16 farming operations are harvesting strawberries on approximately 141 hectares of land. But don't be fooled, as only 86 hectares are mature crops – the remaining 54 hectares are new plantings that won't ripen until the next year. So Thuringia only contributes around 1% of Germany's overall strawberry harvest area.
Last year, the state produced around 673 metric tons of strawberries exclusively from local producers. And with the sun shining bright, it's looking like another promising year for Thuringia's berry connoisseurs!
However, basking in the strawberry glow comes with its challenges. Agriculture State Secretary Marcus Malsch highlighted these issues prior to the traditional initiation of the season in Gebesee, Sömmerda. Some of the hurdles identified include rising production costs, internal and external competition, and of course, the increasing minimum wage.
Malsch discussed the methods strawberry producers are employing to cope with these challenges. One approach is to intensify crop management or grow fruit under foil-covered cultivation to stretch the availability. Despite taking a toll on resources, he emphasized that sustainable, high-quality regional products are worth valuing – even if they come with a premium price tag.
Recent years have seen a 62% decline in open-field strawberry yield in Thuringia. But a silver lining can be found in the expansion of protected cultivation methods like under foil or in greenhouses, albeit it hasn't completely offset the overall decrease. One of Thuringia's largest strawberry growers is the Erdbeerhof Gebesee, cultivating both open-field and foil-tunnel strawberries. For this season, about 90 full-time workers are required for the harvest. Their succulent goods will be dispersed through supermarkets, roadside stands, and farm shops.
In an effort to alleviate the agricultural sector’s burden, the state government aims to eliminate bureaucratic burdens on operations. Measures such as a bureaucracy hotline, the voluntary land register, and the Pact for Growth and Jobs are some examples of the state’s support initiative.
Despite the challenges, there's no doubt that Thuringia's strawberry season remains vibrant and essential to the state's fruit and vegetable industry. So make sure to snap up those farm-fresh strawberries this year, and savor the sweetness of summer with every juicy bite!
- Strawberry Season
- Thuringia
- Strawberry
- Spring
- Sömmerda
The following are to be added to the list of products: 'lifestyle' and 'food-and-drink' as Thuringia's strawberry season kicks off, offering fresh strawberries to be enjoyed in various ways, from supermarkets to farm shops, making it a vibrant and essential part of the state's fruit and vegetable industry, especially during spring in Sömmerda.
With the increase in production challenges such as rising costs, competition, and minimum wage, the emphasis on sustainable, high-quality, regional strawberries, though pricier, ensures the preservation of Thuringia's legacy, thus also adding to the list of products: 'home-and-garden', as consumers look for locally sourced, eco-friendly options for their homes.
