Fruits and Vegetables

Fresh fruits and vegetables

On average, between 1.2 and 1.4 million tonnes of fruit were harvested in Germany over the past five years. Apples led the way with around 940,000 to 1.1 million tonnes and a share of around 76% of the total fruit harvest. The apple range has been enriched by numerous club varieties in recent years. The main varieties are 'Elstar', 'Braeburn', 'Gala' and 'Red Jonaprince'. Other important fruit crops grown in Germany are strawberries, cherries, plums and pears as well as redcurrants, blueberries and raspberries. Almost two thirds of tree fruit and bush berries are sold as dessert fruit, while a good third is used as industrial and commercialised fruit.
Around 6,000 horticultural businesses produce vegetables in Germany. Approximately 3.9 million tonnes of vegetables are produced on an area of over 127,000 hectares. Depending on the season, the range of home-grown vegetables includes various types of cabbage, root and tuber vegetables, leafy and fruiting vegetables, herbs and salads grown outdoors or under glass. Herbs, pumpkins, melons and sweet potatoes are also increasingly being grown.

Processed fruits and vegetables, potato products

In 96 companies in the fruit and vegetable processing industry, jam, fruit spreads, canned fruit and vegetables, red cabbage, sauerkraut and a variety of fine sour vegetables are made from fresh raw materials. The potato processing industry produces chips and sticks, French fries, dumplings and many other typical German potato specialities in 28 companies. In total, the industry employs almost 24,000 people and generates an annual turnover of over 8 billion euros.