Scandals in the strawberry field: Customers claws and farmers react with levy!

Scandals in the strawberry field: Customers claws and farmers react with levy!

Lübeck, Deutschland - The strawberry season in northern Germany has started, but the mood among the fruit growers is tense. Melanie Engel, owner of the Ingenhof in Malente-Malkwitz, describes the situation in the fields as "absolutely shocking". In order to counter the problem of customers who have more food than paying, she has introduced an admission credit that costs adults 5 euros and children between 5 and 17 years. Families pay 12 euros for a ticket to enjoy freshly picked strawberries that are currently offered for 5.90 euros per kilo. LN already reported Minimum acceptance of one kilogram per couple was introduced to prevent visitors from only to cost individual strawberries and in the end with empty containers.

angel observed that large groups of people tend to eat full unnoticed and only pay minimal quantities. Unfortunately, strawberry theft even occurs - a fact that frustrated the honest customers. But there are also positive feedback from regular customers who perceive the new rules as an improvement. Enno Glantz, operator of the Glantz strawberry courtyard in Delingsdorf, has decided on a similar minimum acceptance of 500 grams per person. His goal is to slow down the large families who use the field without paying appropriately. Here 500 grams of strawberries currently cost 3.70 euros.

market overview and challenges

The demand for fresh strawberries is unbroken. It is interesting that the average consumption per German is around 3 kilograms of strawberries per year, as My farm . This number refers to the entire strawberry consumption, including processed products. Nevertheless, 100,000 tons of strawberries are harvested in Germany than are actually consumed. Imports such as Spain, the Netherlands, Italy and Poland deliver the required quantities.

How does it work?

The strawberry harvest extends from May to June and can be extended until September depending on the weather. Other fruits such as cherries, blueberries and apples can also be picked themselves during their respective season. While customers use the picking basket themselves, fruit growers offer the opportunity to experience the freshness and taste of their products themselves. Picking yourself not only promotes an environmentally friendly way of thinking, but also ensures short transport routes and ensures that the strawberries can develop their best taste.

Participation in picking yourself is simple: you choose a strawberry courtyard, register or visit it during the harvest time. After a brief introduction to picking, visitors are ready for the harvest. If you get the right amount, you weigh the strawberries and pay - from the joy of harvesting to licking taste freshly picked berries, everyone experiences a piece of nature up close here.

The joy of picking and the nice contact with the visitors, according to Robert Dahl, managing director of Karls experience villages that make up the special charm of these activities. "It is just fun to pick your own berries and then enjoy it," said Dahl. But the challenges remain and the farmers hope that the new rules will soon relax the situation in the fields.