Cherry harvest in Erligheim: Good quality despite harvest challenges!

Cherry harvest in Erligheim: Good quality despite harvest challenges!

The cherry harvest has begun in the Ludwigsburg district and the first cherries are already available in the farm shop in Erligheim. Loud Bietigheim newspaper This year's harvest is estimated to be average, with Meik Sartorius from Apfelland Sartorius in Bönnigheim predicting an average harvest for apples and normal yields for pears. These cherries are part of a larger harvest that is expected to last about four weeks, until mid-July.

The harvest yield varies depending on the cherry variety: While the early and late varieties produce less, medium varieties such as “Regina” produce a good yield. Nevertheless, the frost in April caused damage to crops, especially plums, cherries, apples and pears. This frost, combined with a lack of water due to a dry spring, has made the situation even more difficult for fruit growers in the region. Fortunately, recent rainfall has improved conditions slightly.

Climate challenges and protective measures

Fruit growers, in turn, face challenges that are both climatic and economic in nature. The use of technical protective measures against weather extremes is therefore essential. Around 80% of the apple areas are covered with hail nets, which provide 15% shade and protect the trees during the hot summer months. In addition, many companies use a drip system for targeted irrigation to ensure a reliable water supply even in dry conditions.

Frank Braun, chairman of the Kirchheim fruit growing association, reports mixed harvest results. While apples are of good quality, pears are a little thinner, but cherries and apricots are characterized by their very good condition. Around 30% of the apple orchards in Kirchheim are equipped with frost protection irrigation, which means that the quality of the fruit can be assessed as “fair to good”. However, the drought could cause the fruits to be smaller than usual.

The cherry: A prized fruit

Cherries play a central role in German fruit cultivation. In 2024, cherries were grown on around 7,200 hectares in Germany, which accounts for 16% of the total tree fruit area. The main growing areas are Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bavaria and Thuringia. The harvest for sweet and sour cherries last year totaled 38,000 tons. The majority of apples are sold as fresh produce, while a smaller proportion are used for preserves, jams, juices and liqueurs, as shown on agriculture.de is to be read.

However, growing cherries is challenging. Pests, diseases and adverse weather conditions can have a significant impact on yield. Wet weather in particular favors pests such as the cherry aphid and the cherry fruit fly. Additional frost protection measures and the use of fine-mesh nets are measures to secure the harvest. Cherries tend to be more susceptible to late frosts, making them particularly risky to grow.

The weather in the coming weeks will be crucial for the rest of the season. Fruit growers must therefore remain innovative and flexible in order to ensure a successful harvest despite all the challenges.