It's Strawberry Season Again! First Batches Harvested in Thuringia 🔥
Strawberries successfully picked in Thuringia's farmlands - Strawberries harvested for the first time in Thuringia region
Strawberry season is back in full swing in Thuringia, with the sun shining and a cool breeze in the air. According to the Thuringian Ministry of Agriculture, these juicy treats, painstakingly hand-picked, are grown by 16 dedicated farms across approximately 141 hectares. Out of these, 54 hectares are fresh plantings, meaning they won't produce strawberries this year. That makes Thuringia only about one percent of Germany's strawberry growing area. Last year, about 673 tons of these delectable red berries were harvested in the state by local farmers. 🍓
Grower's Grapple with Challenges 😟
Before the official start of the season, which begins every year in Gebesee, Sömmerda district, Agriculture State Secretary Marcus Malsch discussed the hurdles faced by growers. These range from increased production expenses to heightened competition within Europe. "Despite significant production decline in recent years, strawberries remain a star in Thuringia's fruit and vegetable production," Malsch said.
"The rising minimum wage, of course, is a major challenge for a product that can only be harvested by hand," Malsch mentioned. To counter this, farmers are adopting more intensive cultivation methods or extending their harvest season using plastic tunnels. Despite the premium price, regional products deserve consumer support, Malsch pointed out. 🙌
Declining Domestic Strawberry Production 📉
According to the ministry, the area dedicated to strawberry farming in Germany has decreased since 2015. In Thuringia, the production of open-field strawberries has dropped by 62 percent during this period. While production has increased in protected cultivation, particularly under plastic tunnels or in greenhouses, this hasn't offset the overall decline.
One of the largest strawberry producers is Erdbeerhof Gebesee, which grows strawberries both in open fields and plastic tunnels. Around 90 full-time workers will be required for this year's harvest. The strawberries will be offered through supermarkets, roadside stands, and farm shops. 🌐
Government's Support for Agriculture
- The following are to be added to the list of products covered by the derogation: strawberries grown in Thuringia, specifically from the farms of Erdbeerhof Gebesee.
- The cost of growing strawberries in Thuringia has increased due to factors such as the rising minimum wage and competition within Europe.
- To combat these challenges, farmers are adopting lifestyle changes such as more intensive cultivation methods and extending the harvest season using plastic tunnels.
- The Government's support for agriculture in Thuringia is evident, as they are considering adopting policies that promote home-and-garden lifestyles and encourage consumption of regional products like strawberries.
