Günther: Disastrous situation in fruit growing and viticulture

Minister of Agriculture Wolfram Günther (Greens) has described the situation of fruit and wine-growing businesses after the frosty nights at the end of April as catastrophic. The economic damage could not yet be quantified, he said in a statement on Tuesday. "Nevertheless, it is clear that the losses from the 2024 harvest in fruit and winegrowing will be huge." According to the statement, Günther informed the cabinet on Tuesday about the frost damage that had occurred and further steps to be taken.

The Ministry of Agriculture is therefore examining support options together with other departments. The cabinet is expected to make a decision on this in the coming weeks. Saxony is also coordinating with other affected federal states about the expected damage and possible aid programs, said Günther. "A corresponding overview could form the basis for requests for support from the federal government."

In the night of April 23, temperatures in Saxony's fruit and wine-growing regions dropped to as low as -7 degrees Celsius at ground level for several hours. Although night frosts are not unusual in the second half of April, the previously warm temperatures meant that the fruit trees and vines had started flowering particularly early and were already well advanced by the end of April, making the plants particularly susceptible to damage. The Saxony & Saxony-Anhalt Fruit Growers' Association recently estimated the crop loss at between 50 million and 70 million euros. Managing Director Udo Jentzsch spoke of a total loss. The Saxony Winegrowers' Association also expected considerable damage to the harvest. Chairman Felix Hößelbarth expected losses of 90 to 100 percent at the end of April.