At the end of October, the last regional organic cucumbers in Germany were harvested and delivered to retailers. Bio Fruchtgemüse Produzenten e.V. (Bio.Fru.Pro) has given its member companies an overall positive assessment of the 2025 season. Thanks to moderate weather conditions with no major fluctuations, the harvest went smoothly. Although it was still not possible to offset the sustained cost increases of recent years, producers were pleased with stable prices and a slight increase in sales.
"From a production perspective, the season was pleasantly uneventful," explains Rudolf Dworschak, CEO of Bio.Fru.Pro. "We were largely spared from increased pest or disease pressure and prolonged heat waves this year. As a result, harvest volumes remained at a constant level and we were able to reliably fulfill our trade agreements. We could have sold even more if we had planted additional areas in the spring."
© Bio Fruchtgemüse Produzenten e.V.
A major reason for the increased demand was the higher prices charged for imported goods. The season for domestic organic cucumbers runs from March to October; year-round supply is only possible through imports from southern countries. During the winter months, production in Germany is incompatible with the principles of organic farming due to the high energy requirements and the necessary soil rest period. More favorable production conditions in countries such as Spain or Bulgaria – for example, in terms of labor costs or environmental regulations – mean that imported cucumbers are significantly cheaper on the market during the transition months. During this period, demand for regional produce is primarily determined by the price difference.
Only around 15 percent of German organic greenhouse space is currently used for cucumber cultivation. "The crop is very cost-intensive, associated with high cultivation risks, and subject to strong fluctuations in demand due to its dependence on import prices. From a business perspective, it therefore makes sense to limit cultivation to a minimum," explains Michael Schudde, managing director of Bio.Fru.Pro. "Conversely, retailers like to stock cheaper imported produce during the season – and only when problems arise there do we become interesting again. If retailers were to commit to regional organic cultivation as clearly as consumers are demanding, we could break the downward spiral together and achieve complete self-sufficiency during the season." This is a goal that is regaining social relevance against the backdrop of increasing global crises.
For more information:
Michael Schudde
Bio.Fru.Pro e.V.
T: +49 176 60030043
[email protected]
www.biofrupro.de