The bumper 2025 harvest year is due in large part to the positive climatic water balance was already recorded in fall 2024, which, in simple terms, means that the plants had sufficient water available. This was also reflected in soil moisture levels, which were even above average in some areas.

The harvest in 2024 was hit by severe night frosts of around -5°C at the end of April and there had been heavy local snowfall on April 21. Conditions in 2025 were much better.

Rainfall and mild weather boosted 2025

The winter of 2024/25 was comparatively warm and characterized by low pressure and rainfall, at least at times, before high pressure caused a prolonged dry spell and soil moisture levels fell (slightly) below average. Vegetation started later than in the previous three years, which already minimized the risk of frost damage during flowering. In April and May, just in time for the plants to sprout, there was at least some precipitation and cooler temperatures in some areas, so that the effects were limited despite a significantly dry spring.

There were hardly any night frosts during the April-May period that could have damaged the plants and led to crop losses. Only in the east and southeast Germany did frost occur again on May 23 and 24, causing some damage to vegetation.

The summer of 2025 started off sunny and dry, which initially suggested that prolonged drought could lead to crop failures. The media warned that a “hellish summer” would be in the works with severe drought. But the doom and gloom never materialized. In July the weather became significantly wetter than the previous months. Fruit trees benefited from the weather, which is now leading to a bountiful harvest in the fall, reports the DWD.

See DWD press release here.