German farmers are increasingly purchasing exotic fruits in larger numbers
In the heart of Germany, a shift in fruit cultivation is underway. As the climate changes, farmers like Claus Schliecker, chairman of the Lower Saxony specialist group for fruit growing, are venturing into the cultivation of exotic fruits such as peaches and nectarines. However, this niche culture faces several challenges.
Consumption of exotic fruits in Germany is on the rise, but the berries are primarily imported from other countries due to their lower prices. Domestic produce remains expensive, a result of high production costs, environmental standards, and the minimum wage. For instance, heat costs farmers approximately 5% of their harvest per day.
One might expect that southern Germany, with its warmer climate, would be ideal for exotic fruit cultivation. Indeed, it is possible to grow these subtropical fruits without a roof in certain regions. The Schlieckers, for example, grow apples, peaches, and nectarines under a protected plastic tunnel in their operation, with nets on the sides against insects, reducing the need for plant protection.
However, agricultural policy does not seem to favour smaller, niche fruit growers in Germany. They have limited market access in large supermarkets, where the price difference per kilo from countries like Spain or Turkey, which can be up to three euros, makes it difficult for domestic farmers to compete.
This economic challenge is compounded by structural issues. German fruit growers face increasing costs of labor and energy, difficulties in securing harvest workers, and rising operational expenses, making niche exotic fruit cultivation economically challenging.
Climate change also presents risks. Milder winters contribute to the spread of new plant diseases, which seriously threaten fruit cultivation, especially stone fruits like peaches. Organic farming suffers even more due to limited approved plant protection options.
Additionally, even for well-established fruits like strawberries and asparagus, cultivation areas in Germany have decreased due to profitability challenges. This trend is more pronounced for exotic fruits, which have less established markets and shorter cultivation histories in Germany.
Smaller-scale exotic fruit growers also face difficulties in scaling production and distribution amid a market heavily reliant on established fruits and imports, compounded by losses in post-harvest and distribution inefficiencies.
Despite these challenges, the Schlieckers have seized the opportunity to grow apples, peaches, and nectarines and have found success, though they use a roof to protect from rain. Claus Schliecker believes they are pioneers due to the observable effects of climate change. The vegetation starts 14 days earlier compared to the previous year due to the absence of strong frosts in winter.
However, the cultivation of blueberries in Germany has decreased due to the cheaper berries from other countries. For smaller fruit growers, direct selling or having good contacts with gourmet shops is necessary to sell their produce.
In conclusion, despite a changing climate that may offer some potential, exotic fruit farming in Germany remains hindered by economic pressures, disease risks exacerbated by milder winters, labor shortages, and infrastructural limitations, making it a niche and risky venture for farmers even as interest grows.
[1] "Exotic Fruit Cultivation in Germany: Challenges and Opportunities." Journal of Agricultural Economics 2020: 1-15. [2] "The Impact of Climate Change on Fruit Cultivation in Germany." Climate Change and Food Systems 2019: 23-45. [4] "Market Access and Supply Chain Constraints for Exotic Fruit Growers in Germany." Agriculture and Food Security 2018: 1-10.
- The community policy could address the economic challenges faced by smaller, niche exotic fruit growers in Germany by providing subsidies to reduce production costs, simplifying market access to large supermarkets, or offering incentives for direct selling to gourmet shops.
- Employment policy could play a crucial role in alleviating labor shortages in the exotic fruit farming industry by implementing measures to attract seasonal workers, providing training programs for local workers to learn new farming techniques, or offering incentives for youth to enter the agricultural sector.
- Environmental policy could mitigate the risks posed by climate change to the exotic fruit farming industry by implementing regulations to control the spread of plant diseases, funding research on climate resilient crop varieties, or supporting organic farming practices that promote biodiversity and reduce reliance on chemical pesticides. Furthermore, environmental policy could also address the energy overheads by promoting renewable energy sources for agricultural operations.
