Due to significant crop losses and income shortfalls, fruit producers in Brandenburg are calling for the state’s assistance. Many fruit growers are left with almost nothing to harvest this year: they could hardly collect cherries and apples because the blossoms froze during frost nights in April.

“The situation for many Brandenburg fruit operations with a high proportion of tree fruit is very serious,” the Garden Association Berlin-Brandenburg announced. Apart from the missing income, contract penalties also threatened if agreed delivery quantities for trade could not be met.

State promises millions in aid due to frost damage

In light of the frost damage, the state has already pledged millions in aid. “With the financial immediate aid, affected businesses must be quickly and unbureaucratically supported to prevent business closures and mitigate the immediate financial burden,” the association said. On its initiative, a total of seven million euros in compensation payments have been earmarked. Accordingly, three million euros will be paid out this year, and another four million euros in 2025.

“We expect all decision-makers to honor these pledges after the state election,” demanded Klaus Henschel, president of the Garden Association Berlin-Brandenburg. The damage from frost in Berlin-Brandenburg is estimated at 15 to 16 million euros, and it is expected that the seven million euros in compensation payments will be fully exhausted.

Association: Development of frost-resistant fruit varieties necessary

As better protection, the association also demands “a state subsidy for climate risk insurance of 50 percent, which could be borne half by the federal government and half by the states.” Furthermore, it is necessary to invest more in research on the development of frost-resistant fruit varieties and innovative technologies to protect plants. Long-term strategies for adapting horticulture to climate change are needed. Brandenburg’s Minister of Agriculture Axel Vogel (Greens) also considers it necessary that irrigation systems for frost protection on fruit plantations gain ground, as he said in June.

Few apples and cherries this season

Some apple operations have 80 to 95 percent fewer fruits, according to the association. “The scarce cherries were further decimated by starlings or burst due to rain.” Fruit operations that usually harvested 7 to 14 tons of cherries this year only managed to collect 180 kilograms, the association cited as examples. “The damage to plums is limited to about 50 percent, but there are also deformations due to frost.” Aronia and currants are 90 to 100 percent damaged.

The European Union could potentially provide additional support to help mitigate the losses experienced by fruit producers in Brandenburg, given its history of aiding farmers in times of crisis. The European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy could provide funding or resources to aid in the development of frost-resistant fruit varieties, thereby ensuring the long-term sustainability and resilience of the fruit industry in Brandenburg.

However, it’s important to note that this is a speculative suggestion, as the text provided does not indicate any involvement of the European Union in this particular situation.

Via: AZB