“In the near future, we plan to completely replace our field strawberries with protected crops”

At the start of week 21, the first strawberries and raspberries from Swiss crops could be harvested and marketed. “For raspberries, we are approaching the new season with great optimism and are extremely satisfied with the yields and qualities so far. For strawberries, on the other hand, part of the stock is produced in the open field. Here, the heavy rains led to corresponding rotting pressure on the crops,” reports Fabian Kummer from the Schmitterhof cultivation company in the Rheintal.

From a marketing point of view, the current conditions are rather positive, Kummer continues. “The market is hungry for early strawberries from Switzerland and since week 22 there are no more import quotas, meaning that domestic strawberries are fully represented on the market. Thanks to our business partner Tobi Seeobst, several promotions with Swiss strawberries are already underway in the retail sector. For raspberries, we expect the first advertising campaigns by the end of June. last year, and a minimal price increase is also expected for raspberries.

Protected cultivation of raspberries.

In the open field, the strawberry variety Aprica is grown, while in protected cultivation the main focus is on the established variety Malling Centenary. The harvest and marketing window generally extends until the second half of August. Raspberries from protected crops are even available until October. “Our autumn raspberries have established themselves very well in recent years. In general, early and late raspberries are of the best quality, which is mainly due to the fact that we are increasingly faced with strong heat peaks and at night temperatures above 20 degrees in the middle of summer,” says Kummer, who also produces asparagus.

At the Schmitterhof, the Enrosadira raspberry variety is mainly grown. In addition, the young berry growing company is dedicating itself to several variety trials.

Since 2020, Schmitterhof has been able to deliver market-appropriate quantities of raspberries. “Diversification was and remains very important to us, not least because we want to spread the risks as much as possible. In the coming years, we want to further expand our cultivation capacities, both for strawberries and raspberries. We will completely replace our field strawberries with protected cultivation We have noticed that the waste, also due to the extreme weather conditions and the mentioned damages, is now too great, especially in relation to the increase in production costs, in the medium and long term. by adding blueberries to our range.

Images: Schmitterhof

For more information:
Fabien Kummer
Schmitterhof
Alpstrasse 50
9444 Diepoldsau -Switzerland
Tel.:+41 71 733 11 55
E-mail: [email protected]
www.schmitterhof.ch