German cherry harvest set to top decade average by 13.5% after mild spring

A strong year across Germany

Germany's cherry growers are heading for one of their best harvests in years, according to first estimates from the Federal Statistical Office. The total harvest is expected to reach 51,100 tonnes, which is 8.5% above the already abundant 2025 crop of 47,100 tonnes and 13.5% higher than the ten-year average of 45,200 tonnes.

Expected 202651,100

2025 harvest47,100

10-year average45,200

Expected 2026

51100 tonnes

2025 harvest

47100 tonnes

10-year average

45200 tonnes

Data from the article text

Sweet cherries lead the surge

The sweet cherry crop is the main driver, forecast at 40,300 tonnes. That would be 20.5% above the average of the past decade and roughly 8% more than in 2025. Sweet cherries are grown on about 5,600 hectares nationwide, with Baden-Württemberg as the leading state.

“The mild temperatures in spring and the absence of significant late frosts during flowering point to a promising season for fruit farmers.”

Sour cherries decline on shrinking acreage

Sour cherries are expected to yield 10,800 tonnes, up 9.6% from last year but still 6.8% below the ten-year average. The Federal Statistical Office notes that the area planted with sour cherries has fallen by roughly a quarter since 2016, dragging down output despite favourable weather.

Regional contrasts

Baden-Württemberg, the top region for sweet cherries, projects 19,200 tonnes from 2,600 hectares, a 9.2% rise year-on-year. In Bavaria, the total cherry harvest is forecast at 2,830 tonnes, with sweet cherries reaching 2,650 tonnes (about one-third more than in 2025) but sour cherries plunging by half to 180 tonnes. Brandenburg sees a sharp rebound: sweet cherry volumes are expected to jump 121% to 438 tonnes after two weak years.

Risks remain

Drought and bird damage could still eat into the final figures, statisticians caution, especially for sour cherries that ripen later. Final harvest data will be published in September.