Strawberries successfully picked in Thuringia for the first time this season - Strawberries successfully picked for first time in Thuringia region
Let It Roll: Strawberry Season Hits Thuringia
Strawberry season has officially begun, with Thuringia sporting a brilliant red glow from its harvest baskets! This year, the fruit has arrived under sunny skies and a touch of chill - an ideal start. The Thuringian Ministry of Agriculture reports that the juicy berries will be plucked by hand from 16 operations, covering approximately 141 hectares of land.
Out of these, more than half (54 hectares) are new plantings that will bear no fruit this year. Thuringia contributes a mere 1% to Germany's strawberry harvesting area, producing around 673 tonnes last year.
Struggles for Cultivators
Prior to the traditional season opening in Gebesee, Sömmerda district, Agriculture State Secretary Marcus Malsch flagged the difficulties that strawberry growers face. Costs are on the rise, while competition within Europe intensifies. "Whilst significant cuts have been made in recent years, the strawberry remains a proud symbol in Thuringia's fruit and vegetable production," Malsch points out.
Malsch shares that the minimum wage hike is a significant hurdle for hand-picked produce like strawberries. Growers cope by adopting more labor-intensive methods or extending the supply period with foil-grown strawberries. While appreciation for regional products is vital, Malsch notes that such quality comes at its cost.
A Shift in Domestic Harvesting
According to the Ministry, Germany's total strawberry cultivation area has decreased since 2015. In Thuringia, open-field strawberry yields have taken a 62% hit within the same timeframe.The increase in protected cultivation under foil or greenhouses has not entirely offset this decline.
The Gebesee Strawberry Farm is one of Thuringia's largest producers, growing berries in open fields and foil tunnels. The season promises employment for around 90 full-time workers. The fruits will be sold across supermarkets, farm shops, and roadside stands.
State Support for Agribusiness
Malsch explains that the state government aims to aid the agricultural sector. Initiatives like the bureaucracy hotline, voluntary land register, and the growth and job pact work towards freeing agricultural businesses from bureaucratic burdens for long-term cost savings and investments.
However, strawberry growers in Thuringia may face additional obstacles such as temperature and climate extremes, weather conditions, drought, pests, and diseases. Novel strategies like opting for heat-tolerant strains, intelligent shading, and creative farming practices could help address these challenges.
^(Sources: 1. Thuringia.de, 2. Sciencesponge.com, 3. Agroscope.admin.ch)
(† * Strawberry season * Thuringia * Strawberry * Spring * Sömmerda)
The following are to be added to the list of products covered by the derogation: lifestyle products such as Thuringian strawberries, which are popular during the strawberry season, and food-and-drink products like strawberry jams, juices, and wines made from these strawberries. Additionally, home-and-garden products, such as pots and planters for growing strawberries at home, would also be included in the derogation for promoting sustainable living and agriculture.
