The Federal Statistical Office expects the lowest strawberry harvest in Germany for 24 years.

The amount of strawberries harvested outdoors this summer is expected to be around 91,300 tons, the authority said on Thursday, citing preliminary estimates.

This is therefore the lowest amount since 1998 - at that time it was around 81,500 tons.

Cultivated areas have been greatly reduced

In 2022, the amount is expected to be five percent below the value of 2021. This number was already low compared to previous years.

Between 2016 and 2021, the burrows were able to harvest an average of 115,600 tons per year.

The statisticians stated that the reason for this development was that the open-air cultivation areas were reduced to around 9700 hectares.

This is the lowest value since the turn of the millennium.

Compared to 2021, this means a decrease of nine percent.

Another reason could be a falling demand for strawberries from Germany.

With 25,200 tons, the largest harvest is expected from Lower Saxony.

It was followed by North Rhine-Westphalia with 18,100 tons and Baden-Württemberg with 16,700 tons.

Bad strawberry harvest in Bavaria

The strawberry harvest in Bavaria, on the other hand, falls short of expectations.

The State Office for Statistics assumes 9100 tons, as announced on Thursday.

That is 18 percent less than a year ago and 22.5 percent less than the multi-year average.

Actually, the weather conditions in spring had promised a good strawberry season.

However, the rising cost of living slowed demand, which is why some farmers refrained from harvesting strawberries to save costs.

Decline in the asparagus harvest

The statisticians also expect a smaller harvest than usual for asparagus.

This is estimated at 113,100 tons.

Compared to 2021, this would mean a decrease of five percent.

The area under cultivation fell by almost four percent in the same period.

As with strawberries, falling demand for pole vegetables could also be the reason.

Most asparagus was harvested in Lower Saxony with 26,100 tons, followed by Bavaria with 21,100 tons and North Rhine-Westphalia with 19,300 tons.

All figures for 2022 are only projections so far, and according to the information, final figures will not be available until the beginning of next year.