Financial report detailing the outcomes from the 2025 crop harvest

In the agricultural heartland of Baden-Württemberg, a series of events have shaped the 2025 growing season. The weather, in particular, has played a significant role, with a wet autumn, mild winter, and unusual warmth and drought in the first half of the year.

The reed leafhopper, a small insect, has been a persistent issue, transmitting bacterial diseases that have spread in the relevant growing regions. These diseases have caused significant yield losses and reduced sugar contents in sugar beets for several years. Mixed infections in sugar beets have resulted in sugar yield losses of 50 percent or more. Fortunately, there is currently no widespread report of significant disease burden caused by stem mites on sugarcane or other vegetables.

Minister Peter Hauk, the Minister of Food, Rural Areas, and Consumer Protection, is committed to ensuring that operations have and can use diverse control options to manage the reed leafhopper. Chemical plant protection is only used as a last resort, according to Minister Hauk.

The rainfall in Baden-Württemberg has provided optimal germination conditions for catch crops, which are growing vigorously and offering good overwintering opportunities for numerous insects. While this can lead to challenges in the future, the catch crops are also providing optimal conditions for the coming crops through loose soils.

The grain harvest in Baden-Württemberg was completed successfully, despite some regions starting earlier and others being delayed by rain. Quality losses due to the rainy period were less than initially feared, but there were significant quality losses in the brewing barley. As a result, a part of the harvest can only be marketed as feed grain.

The harvest for many specialty crops, such as asparagus and apples, was satisfactory in 2025. The apple harvest at Lake Constance is expected to be good, with a slightly lower quantity than the previous year but superior quality and aroma. The strawberry season ended with difficulties.

The general harvest start for vines is expected to fall in the first week of September. The development of vines is currently ahead of that of the early previous year, with only isolated cases of locally limited hail damage.

Total losses can occur in potatoes and other vegetable crops in Baden-Württemberg, including red beet, celery, cabbage, onions, and carrots, due to bacterial diseases transmitted by the reed leafhopper. Despite these losses, the Minister emphasized the importance of adapting agriculture to climate change and ensuring that operations have diverse control options available.

In conclusion, the agricultural sector in Baden-Württemberg has faced challenges in 2025, but the resilience of farmers and the commitment to adaptation and innovation offer hope for a successful future.