Overview

• Harvest is slated to begin in mid-August, continuing the trend of earlier seasons driven by milder winters.
• Growers credit adequate spring rainfall and the avoidance of frost damage for this year’s robust yield expectations.
• Localized hail and wind events have still inflicted losses in some orchards, according to industry data.
• The decline of large commercial farms has increased reliance on privately owned streuobstwiesen for cider production.
• Minimum wage hikes and labor shortages are driving up costs as Frankfurt’s apple wine festival kicks off the season.