According to the latest Global agricultural information network (GAIN) under the Ministry of agriculture, the planted area in 2017 rose 10% and amounted to 49 thousand 935 ha.

A large part of the space garden plantings in the country is Apple orchards and 68% (33 thousand 981 hectares), followed by cherries - 12% (6 of 66 thousand ha), plum - 8% (4 of 199 thousand ha), pears - 4% (2 thousand 137 ha), sour cherries - 3% (1 948 ha) and Mirabell - 1% (639 ha). Less than 2% of the land is given over to the walnut, peach and apricot trees.

With 4% fruit farms ceased operations in 2012.

"The current situation reflects the trend toward development of large farms. Large commercial enterprises trying to increase their area by buying or renting additional land partially at farms that have ceased production," commented report author Sabine Libert.

Small farms, which are located on the area less than 2 hectares, typically work on schedule incomplete working day. The owners thus receive a large part of income outside agriculture. For them it is difficult to keep up with technical developments and finding a successor upon retirement.

Leading variety of apples in Germany, Elstar (+13% plantation area) also increases the production of the varieties Braeburn (+ 17%), Gala (+ 25%), Pinova (+ 10%), Topaz (+ 32%) and Kanzi (+ 39%). Shrinking was observed in gardens where cultivated varieties Boskoop (-21%), Golden Delicious (-33%) and Idared (-42%).

"The majority of German consumers prefer a sour-sweet apples (Elstar and Jonagold), in contrast with just sweet apples. Some traditional varieties, such as Berlepsch, it is difficult to care," - said Sabina Libers.

Photo: agriorbit.com