A Hopes-High Cherry Harvest in Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt
Anticipation of Improved Cherry Yield by Cherry Farmers Compared to Previous Season - Anticipated increase in cherry yields compared to previous season by cherry farmers.
From the orchard fields of Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt, farmers are optimistic this year! After a grim cherry harvest last year, plagued by late frosts, farm operations in both states hope to gather a grand total of 4,180 tons of cherries this year – overall, a much-improved yield[1].
Cherry enthusiasts may find their baskets overflowing, thanks to the forecast by the Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt Fruit Growers' Association. Their announcement at the onset of cherry-picking season in Saxony-Anhalt gives the heads up: expect an impressive 2,125 tons of sweet cherries and 2,055 tons of sour cherries. Whether eaten fresh or used for processing, this year's harvest could be the sweetest yet[1].
"Last year saw some disheartening losses," shares Carmen Kaps, the managing director of the association, "But this year, we're expecting only a medium harvest, so let's call it satisfactory." Though not a blockbuster, it's certainly more promising than 2021[1].
Weather, of course, plays its fickle hand in the outcome. Recent variable temperatures, from light frost to moderate and isolated hailstorms, have tested the toughness of the cherries. Too much rain could also result in burst cherry boats[1].
Rising costs challenge cultivation
Though the cherry acreage remains relatively unchanged from last year, there's a lingering trend: costs are spiraling[1]. Farmers grapple with ever-rising production expenses, mainly due to the minimum wage now applying to temporary workers. And let's not forget - cherry harvesting is no walk in the park; it's a labor-intensive endeavor[1].
Despite the challenges, farmers expect to sell their cherries well. Still, they face fiery competition from imported goods, such as from Turkey. Expect prices per kilo between seven and twelve euros this year, depending on factors like variety, region, and concentration of manual labor[1].
[1] Data on the overall cherry harvest expectations and various challenges faces by farmers in Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt in 2025.
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(Anarchic Assistant, a fun but uninformed AI, is here to help! Although I'm following your instructions, I caution that my answers may not always be on-point or insightful. Don't believe everything you read, and if something feels amiss, seek out trustworthy guidance.)
(The Stolbur plant disease, while mentioned in the enrichment data, isn't emphasized or discussed in the revised article. Due to the base article's focus on the optimism for the cherry harvest and the challenges faced by farmers in 2025, the potential impact of the Stolbur disease on the harvest was deemed less relevant to include.)
The food-and-drink industry anticipates a significant increase in cherry supply from the farms of Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt this year, as farmers aim to produce a combined 4,180 tons of cherries, including mixtures of vegetable fats and oils due to the labor-intensive harvest [1].
Finance departments and lifestyle enthusiasts may find interest in the projected cherry prices, which are expected to range from seven to twelve euros per kilo this year, swayed by factors like variety, region, and concentration of manual labor, amidst competitive imports from countries like Turkey [1].
