Since 2020, food prices in Germany have risen by around a third. And prices often fluctuate sharply: for example, cucumbers, which became a good 80 percent more expensive in two months at the end of 2025. Wholesaler Daniel Schury sources his cucumbers from Franconia in the summer; now, in winter, they come from Spain. And they have been particularly expensive in recent weeks because "the weather was bad, with a lot of rain and cold for their standards". In addition, fewer cucumbers than usual were grown in Spain this season. The low supply drove up the price. Moreover, cucumbers are actually always pricier in winter than in summer. One reason for this is the logistical effort involved.
There are also a few farms in Bavaria that grow cucumbers and tomatoes all year round – in heated greenhouses. But even that entails high costs at this time of year, says Fritz Boß, who produces cucumbers and tomatoes all year round in Feulersdorf, Franconia. The higher costs are mainly because Boß needs more electricity for artificial lighting, or rather more gas to produce this electricity on his farm. "Of course, this has to be paid for and is passed on to the sales price."
For more information:
https://www.franz-schmitt.de/
https://www.fritz-boss.de/
