Germany's fruit growers are expecting another strong cherry harvest in 2026. Orchards across the country anticipate a total yield of around 51,100 tonnes of sweet and sour cherries combined, 13.5 percent above the ten-year average and 8.5 percent higher than the already strong harvest recorded in 2025, according to figures released by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) in Wiesbaden on Monday.
Favourable spring weather played a key role in the positive outlook. There were no significant episodes of hail or late frosts, both of which can cause severe damage to cherry crops during the critical flowering and early fruiting stages.
Sweet cherries are driving the headline figure. Growers are projecting a yield of approximately 40,300 tonnes, a rise of 20.5 percent compared to the ten-year average. Sweet cherries are cultivated on around 5,600 hectares of land in Germany, with Baden-Württemberg accounting for the largest share of production.
The picture for sour cherries is more nuanced. Despite the same favourable growing conditions, the sour cherry harvest is expected to fall below the ten-year average — not because of poor yields per hectare, but because the area under cultivation has contracted significantly. According to Destatis, the growing area for sour cherries has shrunk by around a quarter since 2016.
The anticipated sour cherry harvest stands at 10,800 tonnes, which is 9.6 percent more than the previous year but still 6.8 percent below the ten-year average. Sour cherries are grown primarily in Rhineland-Palatinate.
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