German jam producers are expressing concern about potential shortages in supermarkets in 2024 due to a "catastrophic" fruit harvest.

Yields of apples, sour cherries, strawberries, and other soft fruits have fallen an average of one-third below expectations.

The Federal Association of the Fruit, Vegetable and Potato Processing Industry (BOGK) has reported a significant 60% shortfall in sour cherries.

The poor harvest is attributed to unfavorable weather conditions not only in Germany but also in neighboring countries such as Poland, Hungary, Greece, Spain, and Italy.

The limited supply has led to a surge in raw material prices, creating a growing gap between production costs and income for jam and canned fruit manufacturers.

Major German food retailers, who dominate around 80% of the market, have been pressuring suppliers for price reductions to combat inflation, which further complicates the situation.

The BOGK warns that if trade reserves are insufficient to cover the shortfall, consumers may soon find empty shelves in stores.