Exceptional apple yield anticipated at Lake Constance this season
In the picturesque region around Lake Constance, the annual Lake Constance Apple Season Opening took place recently, with State Secretary Sabine Kurtz of the Ministry of Food, Rural Areas and Consumer Protection Baden-Württemberg in attendance. The event, held at the Steffelin Orchard in Markdorf-Ittendorf, aimed to jointly promote delicious, vitamin-rich apples and served as a platform to communicate the concerns of the fruit industry to a wider public.
Two key producer organizations in the region, the Wuerttembergische Obstgenossenschaft Raiffeisen e.G. (WOG) and Marktgemeinschaft Bodenseeobst e.G. (MaBo), were present. These organizations represent around 600 producer operations in Baden-Württemberg, working tirelessly to cultivate high-quality apples.
The regional campaign 'Naturally. FROM HOME' is a common goal of WOG and MaBo, aiming to sharpen the unique profile of their apples. The organizations are also part of the sustainability project "FAIRDI - Real Bodensee Apple," which focuses on promoting biological diversity, reducing plant protection measures, and developing a marketing concept for regional fruit production.
Speaking at the event, State Secretary Sabine Kurtz emphasized the importance of servicing and strengthening regional and supraregional markets for the fruit industry. She highlighted the need to tap into new markets with added value potential and stressed the importance of long-term security of sales markets. According to Kurtz, this security can be achieved through product and process quality, traceable regionality, and standing out in the market.
The "FAIRDI - Real Bodensee Apple" project includes the Bavarian Fruit Growers' Association in Germany, the Thurgau Fruit Producers in Switzerland, and the Baden Fruit Growers' Association, covering regions around Lake Constance in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. The project also includes a marketing concept for regional fruit production.
During her speech, Kurtz also mentioned the EU program for promoting producer organizations in the fruit and vegetable sector, which includes the promotion of stone fruit plantings, hail protection nets, and irrigation systems. However, no specific information about the promotion of these aspects in the given context was provided.
Despite the challenges faced during the 2025 growing season, the Lake Constance Apple Season Opening celebrated good apple qualities and fruit sizes developed by the dedicated farmers around Lake Constance. The event also sought to raise awareness among consumers about the benefits and importance of regional fruit for a healthy diet.
In conclusion, the Lake Constance Apple Season Opening was a testament to the commitment of the fruit industry to quality, sustainability, and regionality. The events and projects discussed underscore the industry's efforts to adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining the highest standards for their produce.
