Survey time period: September 2024 to September 2026
In September 2026 the consumer price index for apples stood at points (index 2020 = 100). This implies that prices rose by about percent compared with the base year 2020.
Apple prices are subject to seasonal fluctuations
It shows that apple prices reach their annual high in the summer months of July and August. In fall and winter, consumer prices for apples often fall again. This pattern is due to the timing of the apple harvest, which in Germany mainly takes place in the fall. In addition to seasonal fluctuations, factors such as the annual harvest volume and quality and production costs (for example, wage increases for workers or energy prices) also play a role in determining consumer prices. For example, a below-average harvest in 2017 led to a consumer price increase, especially in the first half of 2018. The COVID-19 restrictions in 2020 also contributed to price increases. Additional costs usually arose for housing harvest workers and for other hygiene requirements.
The apple is the most popular fruit variety in Germany
Over kilograms of apples are consumed by an average consumer in Germany. This made the apple the most popular fruit variety in Germany, followed by the banana. Among the most important varieties are Elstar, Braeburn, and Gala. The apple harvest in Germany most recently amounted to around million tonnes. As a result, Germany can cover about percent of its apple demand (as of 2023/24) with domestic production. Consequently, the Federal Republic depends on imports from abroad. The leading supplying country for the German market was most recently Italy.