Sun-Kissed Strawberries: Hesse Farmers reaping Early Harvest Delights this Season
Farmers anticipating a fruitful strawberry harvest as the picking period commences. - Agricultural community anticipates prosperous crop season ahead
Ready for a taste of summer?! Hesse's strawberry farmers are off to a cracking start this year, thanks to some much-needed sunshine. In regions like Münzenberg, Wetterau district, the berry picking's already begun!
At the forefront, the new Hesse Strawberry Queen, Paulina I, was crowned by Hesse's Minister of Agriculture, Ingmar Jung (CDU)! Paulina will be our sweet ambassador for the juicy fruits in the months ahead. Agriculture’s a key player for the local economy in Hesse, with strawberries accounting for around 40 million euros in value creation, predominantly in the southern and central parts of the region, according to Minister Jung.
By the numbers in Hesse
Last year, around 130 farms across Hesse cultivated strawberries on a staggering 915 hectares, producing a total of 6,850 tons. Despite this impressive yield, it's still less than what the Hessians devour, Jung pointed out. Interestingly, per capita consumption has dropped from 3.8 to 2.8 kilograms of strawberries per year. There's ample room for farming more, he said.
Sales prices stand around the same mark as the previous year, thanks to good strawberry supplies that have kept late frosts at bay, according to Maximilian Reuhl, managing director of Wetterauer Fruchtchen.
Local is Best: It's all about the taste
Choosing Hesse's strawberries means supporting climate-friendly, local production and savoring fruits picked at their peak ripeness with maximum aroma. The minister couldn't be clearer: "By buying local, you can save the environment from long transport routes."
Optimism for the Season
Last year was a drizzly one, but this season looks promising! "Our strawberry stocks are in great shape thanks to a consistent winter and minimal blossom frosts," explained Andreas Klein from the Hessian Association for Commercial Fruit Growing. The unusually high light intensity in February and March has boosted strawberry plant growth by approximately ten days.
Growing Innovation: Raised bed cultivation
The Wetterauer Fruchtchen operation in Münzenberg, which cultivates strawberries on around 35 hectares, including rising amounts in raised bed cultivation, welcomed the season's opening. Raised bed cultivation means plants grow in elevated beds and under plastic tunnels, making care and harvesting more manageable, yields more secure, and ensuring consistent fruit quality. It also improves working conditions for harvest helpers, who can harvest standing up in the facilities.
Strawberry Queen Paulina celebrates the Red Fruits' Variety
At the event, Paulina Vogler, the newly crowned Hesse Strawberry Queen, shared her love for strawberries: "I simply adore these ruby red treats!" What she particularly admires about strawberries is their versatility – whether they adorn a salad, top a cake, or add a dash of deliciousness to ice cream.
- In the Wetterau district of Hesse, the harvest of strawberries has already started, with plenty more expected in the following months.
- According to Maximilian Reuhl, managing director of Wetterauer Fruchtchen, sales prices for strawberries are stable this year, due to good strawberry supplies and an absence of late frosts.
- As our sweet ambassador for strawberries, Paulina Vogler, the Hesse Strawberry Queen, is a strong advocate for food-and-drink, home-and-garden, and cooking lifestyles, appreciating strawberries for their versatility in various recipes.
- Andreas Klein from the Hessian Association for Commercial Fruit Growing expressed optimism for this season's strawberry stocks, attributing the early growth of strawberry plants to an unusually high light intensity in February and March.
- To improve working conditions and secure yields, Wetterauer Fruchtchen in Münzenberg has begun implementing raised bed cultivation of strawberries, which offers consistent fruit quality, easier care, and more manageable harvesting.
