Fruit growers face climate challenges amid new sustainability guidelines

Researchers from Osnabrück University and the Federal Fruit Growing Group have developed new guidelines for the integrated production of fruit. Funded by the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture through the ‘IP 2030’ project, these guidelines aim to promote sustainable cultivation by addressing climate change, biodiversity, and resource management.

Key measures include the use of flowering strips, insect habitats, water-saving drip irrigation, and peat-reducing cultivation. The guidelines also address energy balances, greenhouse gas emissions, and food loss reduction to provide a holistic approach to fruit growing.

Simultaneously, the fruit industry faces immediate climate-related challenges. In France, extreme heatwaves and droughts are expected to cause a roughly 20% decrease in apple yields this winter. Experts warn that water shortages cause tree stress, leading to smaller fruit sizes and potential quality issues, such as fruit burns, which threaten the entire supply chain and the livelihoods of growers.