Obsternte: Eine der besten Kirschernten seit Jahren

Wiesbaden – Favorable spring temperatures and reduced frost damage yielded Germany's fruit growers a top-performing cherry harvest in 2026, according to the Federal Statistical Office. The total yield of sweet and sour cherries reached 48,500 tons, a 7.8% increase compared to the ten-year average. This surpassed the previous year's production by 3.0%, despite regional heat and drought causing significant damage to orchards.

The majority of this growth is attributed to sweet cherries: their production of 38,900 tons was 16.2% above the ten-year average, while sour cherry output fell 16.8% short of the same figure between 2016 and 2025. Regional variations were notable: Baden-Württemberg, with the largest sweet cherry acreage in Germany at 2,600 hectares, harvested 19,100 tons, which was 16.7% more than the ten-year average.

In contrast, Rhineland-Palatinate's sour cherry harvest was 37.2% lower than average, at only 2,000 tons. Sour cherry trends mirrored these regional differences. Preliminary estimates suggest the apple harvest will also be strong this year, with a projected 40,900 tons, a 7.7% increase over the ten-year average. Baden-Württemberg remains the largest apple-growing region in the country, accounting for nearly half of all domestic apples, with 18,600 tons expected from 860 hectares.