Cherry Harvest Shows Improvement Over Last Year's Disasters

The cherry harvest in Brandenburg is projected to show significant improvement this year compared to the disastrous results of the previous year, although it remains below the average yield of recent years. According to the Berlin-Brandenburg Office for Statistics, the expected yield for this season is approximately 541 tons, an increase of 377 tons from last year.

However, when compared to the six-year average, which stands at 510 tons for sweet cherries and 315 tons for sour cherries, the total yield is still below par, totaling 825 tons for both varieties. Farmers anticipate a promising outcome for sour cherries, estimating a harvest of 341 tons, which is about two and a half times more than last year. In contrast, the sweet cherry yield is expected to be around 199 tons, still representing an eightfold increase from 2024.

Once again, frost has posed challenges to cherry production this year. Reports indicate that the extent of frost damage has varied significantly across regions, leading to better harvests in some areas. Several fruit growers noted that nighttime temperatures dipped to as low as minus five degrees Celsius on May 6, resulting in damage to cherry blossoms.

In addition to these challenges, the area allocated for cherry cultivation has declined. Currently, sweet cherries are grown on approximately 204 hectares, with the primary concentration located in the Potsdam-Mittelmark district. Sour cherry trees are cultivated on about 60 hectares.

This year's cherry harvest is a welcome relief for local farmers who faced hardships due to last year's frosts, which severely impacted production and led some farm shops to close. While the current yield remains below average, the increase signals a recovery and offers hope for the future of cherry farming in the region.