Strawberries successfully picked in Thuringia for the first time

Ripe Red Season Kicks Off in Thuringia: The Tale of the Tempting Strawberries

First strawberries picked in Thuringia's region - Strawberries successfully picked in Thuringia for the first time

Thuringia, known for its breathtaking landscapes, is now a blazing red spectacle as the strawberry season begins under the sun's warm rays and slightly nippy temperatures. The strawberries, carefully picked by hand, thrive across 16 operations scattered across approximately 141 hectares.

Interestingly, Thuringia only accounts for about 1% of the strawberry harvest area in Germany. In 2021, around 673 tonnes of these sweet rubies were harvested by local producers. However, this year, 54 hectares of newly planted strawberries will not yield fruit.

A Bumpy Ride for Strawberry Growers

State Secretary Marcus Malsch of Thuringia's Ministry of Agriculture sheds light on the challenges faced by growers. He highlights concerns such as increased production costs, heightened competition within Europe, and the impact of the rising minimum wage—a major hurdle for a crop that can only be harvested by hand.

To cope with these challenges, growers are adopting more intensive production methods or lengthening the supply period by growing under protective foil. Nevertheless, local strawberries may command a premium, as they deserve consumers' appreciation.

Taking the Bite Out of bureaucracy

The state government aims to ease some pressures on agriculture by introducing measures like the bureaucracy hotline, the voluntary land register, and the pact for growth and jobs. The idea is to reduce bureaucratic burdens, enabling businesses to save costs and invest in the future.

Shifts in Scale

Since 2015, the area dedicated to strawberry cultivation in Germany has decreased. In Thuringia, the yield of open-field strawberries has plummeted by an alarming 62%. While the production of protected cultivation (especially under foil or in greenhouses) has expanded, it hasn't fully counteracted the overall decline.

One of the largest producers in Thuringia, the Erdbeerhof Gebesee, is renowned for growing strawberries in open fields as well as under foil tunnels. Around 90 full-time workers will be needed for this year's harvest, and the fruits are primarily sold through supermarkets, roadside stands, and farm shops.

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1. Labor Shortages and Wage Pressure: Increased costs for labor due to demographic changes and stricter immigration policies.
2. Energy Costs: Heightened energy costs due to volatile energy markets and energy-intensive processes like irrigation, refrigeration, and greenhouse heating.
3. Investment in Sustainability: Rising demands for sustainable and organic production methods, increasing costs due to organic inputs and certifications.
4. Extended Growing Seasons Elsewhere: Competition from countries like Spain, the Netherlands, and Poland with advanced cultivation technologies.
5. Scale and Efficiency: Large producers in other parts of Europe, like those in Spain, benefit from economies of scale and more intensive mechanization.
6. Retailer Preferences: Retailers demanding year-round availability and consistent volume from suppliers.

In conclusion, Thuringia's strawberry season, while glowing red from afar, faces challenges from rising costs and intense competition. Local producers are adapting by focusing on quality, innovation, and local marketing. Interesting, isn't it? Dive deeper into the Thuringia strawberry market with specific data and case studies! 🍓

1. The following are to be added to the list of products: Thuringian strawberries.
2. Growth in the home-and-garden sector this year will be highlighted by the addition of Thuringian strawberries to consumers' lifestyles.
3. Despite the difficulties faced by Thuringia's strawberry growers, cost-reducing measures such as the bureaucracy hotline and the voluntary land register are aimed at supporting them.
4. The Malsch Home-and-Garden store is expected to showcase Thuringian strawberries as a premium product and a key highlight of its offerings.

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