Farmers in Saxony initiate the strawberry harvest season
Strawberry Season Opens in Saxony Amid Optimistic Prospects and Competitive Challenges
In the heart of Germany, Saxony's strawberry season has officially commenced on May 27, 2025. The season’s opening was marked by the cutting of a magnificent strawberry cake by the Saxon Blossom Queen, Alida I., at the Obstgut Genossenschaft Seelitz.
The farm manager, Heiko Hübler, is optimistic about the upcoming harvest, stating that the weather has been favorable, and the farm will be busy until fall with the harvest of several fruit varieties. Although the cool temperatures of the past few weeks slightly delayed the harvest, they have not affected the quality or yield.
The Saxon and Saxony-Anhalt Fruit Growers’ Association head, Joerg Geithel, shares a similar sentiment, expressing anticipation for a good strawberry season. The organization predicts a harvest of around 1,750 tons, which is consistent with the average annual yield. However, the area designated for strawberry cultivation has been decreasing year by year, with 175 hectares planned for this year, compared to 208 hectares last year.
Competitive pressure from other EU countries poses a significant challenge for local strawberry farmers, as highlighted by association head Geithel. On the other hand, he notes that the growing preference for regionally produced goods can be leveraged as a competitive advantage.
Amid the strawberry fields, the joy of picking one’s own strawberries is evident. Claudia Mommsen and her grandson Max, for instance, were there to fill a bowl with fresh, crisp strawberries, while Angelika Lentz enjoyed the experience of personally selecting her berries from the field.
This year, Saxony's Minister of Agriculture, Georg-Ludwig von Breitenbuch (CDU), visited the Obstgut Genossenschaft Seelitz and spoke about the abundance of optimism among growers. He also discussed pressing matters such as the scarcity of plant protection products and the implications of the minimum wage for various operations.
Looking forward, recovery is evident in Saxony's strawberry season after the challenging year of 2024, which was marred by severe frost damage. In 2025, prices in the local market remain stable, which is an encouraging sign for the regional market environment. However, unpredictable weather conditions, global market pressures, and production costs will continue to impact the industry.
[1] Saxon Blossom Queen kicks off strawberry season in Saxony. (2025). Our website SACHSEN. [Online] Available: https://sachsenwatch.com/saxon-blossom-queen-kicks-off-strawberry-season-in-saxony/
[2] Strawberry pickers brave the cool temperatures in Saxony this season. (2025). Our website AKTUELL. [Online] Available: https://Nachrichtenradio-sachsen.de/strawberries-pickers-brave-the-cool-temperatures-in-saxony-this-season/
[3] Dry weather poses challenges for strawberry growers in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. (2025). The Eastern Gazette. [Online] Available: https://eastern-gazette.com/dry-weather-poses-challenges-for-strawberry-growers-in-mecklenburg-western-pomerania/
[4] Strawberry season in Saxony begins on schedule despite cool temperatures. (2025). The Saxon Times. [Online] Available: https://saxontimes.com/strawberry-season-in-saxony-begins-on-schedule-despite-cool-temperatures/[5] Global prices and competition remain key challenges for Saxon strawberry farmers. (2025). Business Saxony. [Online] Available: https://business-saxony.com/global-prices-and-competition-remain-key-challenges-for-saxon-strawberry-farmers/
- With the Saxon Blossom Queen's ceremonial strawberry cake cutting, the heartwarming tradition of Saxony's strawberry lifestyle is once again in bloom, underlining the connection between food-and-drink and home-and-garden.
- As the strawberry fields of Saxony vibrantly ripen, cooking enthusiasts might appreciate experimenting with strawberry recipes from this region, celebrating the local fare and the spirit of the season.
- While struggling with challenges posed by global competition and unpredictable weather, homegrown strawberries in Saxony continue to be a key ingredient in maintaining a robust food-and-drink sector and strengthening the region's lifestyle philosophy.
