Fruit growers' association: Many farms are reducing their areas

Following the severe frost damage last year, many fruit growers are looking to the spring with concern. Many farms had cleared areas and downsized, said Carmen Kaps, Managing Director of the Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt Fruit Growers' Association. "The year 2024 has hit fruit growers hard." Fortunately, frost aid from the government prevented the worst. According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, a good third of fruit and winegrowing companies in Saxony-Anhalt alone had applied for frost aid from the state. Exceptional frost had caused major damage in April.

Funding needed for water retention basins

The situation for fruit growers is not easy at the moment, emphasized Managing Director Kaps. Drought, dry periods and frosts are a problem. In addition, it is also becoming increasingly difficult to find seasonal workers. The minimum wage is also a problem. The association is calling on politicians to provide funding opportunities for water retention basins, for example. These should be available without a lot of bureaucracy. "Otherwise there will be less and less regional fruit," said Kaps. This is also about ensuring a certain degree of self-sufficiency.