Red currants
Source: BLE
Per capita consumption of bush berries: 5.1 kilogrammes
According to preliminary figures from the Federal Information Centre for Agriculture (BZL), every German citizen consumed around five kilogrammes of bush berries in the 2019/20 marketing year, with raspberries and blueberries being most popular.
Whether as a fresh raw snack, in yoghurt or as jam on bread: bush berries are well appreciated. Raspberries and blueberries are the frontrunners in Germany, at an annual per capita consumption of around one kilogramme each. Currants take third place with 400 grams while people consumed 200 grams of blackberries and gooseberries during the past marketing year. Sea buckthorn, elderberries and other berries accounted for a total 2.4 kilogrammes per capita.
Main harvest time from June to August
As the seasonal calendar of the Federal Centre for Nutrition (BZfE) shows: The domestic bush berry season starts with raspberries from mid-May, followed by blueberries, currants and gooseberries from the beginning of June and blackberries around mid-June. In July - and in August as well, where blueberries and blackberries are concerned - the fruits are in high season and particularly suitable for consumption, preservation, or to be frozen or dried. We recommend to not hesitate for too long after purchasing, because bush berries stay fresh for a few days only - it is best to eat or process them directly or store them in the refrigerator. Important: Do not squeeze the fruit during transport or storage and sort out damaged berries immediately.
Most of the fruits are served fresh
About 60 percent of harvested bush berries end up fresh as table fruit on supermarket shelves, at the weekly market or at direct marketers. The remaining harvest is processed into preserves, fruity spreads or frozen fruit for industrial use.
International Year of Fruit and Vegetables 2021
The United Nations has declared 2021 the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables. The Federal Office of Agriculture and Food (Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung, BLE) is involved with fruit and vegetables in various areas. Its website, www.ble.de/jahr-obst-gemuese, provides an overview.
