The apple harvest in Latvian farms will vary significantly this season as winter frost impacts certain orchards while others anticipate strong yields, according to apple growers interviewed by LETA. Prices for apples are expected to run lower than last year due to a larger overall supply from producers.
Varying Orchard Conditions and Harvest Timing Across Latvia
Conditions for apple growers across Latvia are diverse, according to Gints Neimanis, board chairman of the agricultural services cooperative society “Zelta ābele”. Winter frost damaged certain orchards where trees froze and yields dropped, while other farms report normal prospects, Neimanis stated. For “Zelta ābele”, Neimanis noted that the anticipated harvest will not be poor and members “cannot complain,” though he cautioned that weather remains unpredictable. Early apple varieties are already being picked, while primary harvesting is scheduled for late August and early September to coincide with the ripening of varieties such as “Auksis”.
Weather conditions have provided sufficient moisture for apple trees without negative impacts from drought, according to Neimanis. April and May were drier than the previous year, but July and August brought substantial precipitation without causing floods, and severe storms avoided the cooperative’s gardens. Realization of the cooperative’s apples has not yet begun on a mass scale and is planned for September alongside the launch of the “Piens un augļi skolai” program, although some members have already started supplying early varieties to stores.
Did You Know? The agricultural services cooperative society “Zelta ābele”, registered in 2008, unites seven farms and enterprises engaged in fruit and berry production and trade across a combined managed area of 288 hectares.
Market Pressures and Labor Shortages in Apple Cultivation
Apple prices will drop below last year’s levels as a result of increased fruit supply from producers, Neimanis explained. Growers expect a larger harvest than last year due to favorable weather conditions, and individual growers will also exert a substantial impact on the overall market situation. Meanwhile, finding workers for harvest tasks becomes more difficult each year. Neimanis noted a drop in potential employee interest alongside rising instances of workers quitting after discovering the workload exceeds their initial expectations. Additionally, Neimanis observed that price gaps between Latvian and Polish apples have narrowed in recent years, with Polish apples sold in larger quantities at lower prices in stores, impacting local producers.
At SIA “Pūres dārzi”, owner Edmunds Grīnbergs stated that harvesting has not yet started and is scheduled for the first decade of September. Favorable weather has spared the apple trees from negative impacts, pointing toward a good harvest following last year’s relatively poor yield and high demand. Grīnbergs likewise reported company challenges in attracting workers for the harvest season. Financial records from “Firmas.lv” indicate that “Pūres dārzi” registered a turnover of 511,085 euros last year—a 12% increase from the prior year—and secured a profit of 65,173 euros compared to previous losses. Registered in 1994 with a 165,704-euro share capital, the company’s largest owner is Grīnbergs alongside nine other private shareholders. Meanwhile, “Zelta ābele” posted a turnover of 817,266 euros, up year-over-year, alongside a profit of 3,082 euros, marking an increase over 2024 results.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is causing apple prices to be lower this year?
According to Gints Neimanis, prices will be lower than last year because apple growers anticipate a larger overall harvest driven by favorable weather conditions and significant output from individual producers.
When does the main apple harvesting period take place?
While early varieties are already being gathered, the largest harvest operations are scheduled for late August and early September as varieties like “Auksis” reach maturity, with SIA “Pūres dārzi” planning to start in the first decade of September.
How have weather conditions affected orchards this season?
While winter frost severely impacted certain orchards by freezing trees and lowering yields, other areas experienced sufficient moisture without destructive droughts, floods, or heavy storms during the summer months.
How will local apple producers manage labor shortages during the upcoming harvest peak?
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