As the fruit harvest gets underway, growers are facing a familiar set of challenges: not just the quality and quantity of fruit, but increasingly the critical issue of water supply.
At the Lampech orchard, apples are still hanging from the trees, but many are visibly smaller this year. The cause is clear: an exceptionally hot and dry summer. Outdoor fruit production remains a continual challenge.
Jean-Claude Muller, President of the Luxembourg National Fruit Growers’ Association, notes that this year’s harvest is somewhat smaller than last year’s, which was unusually abundant.
Even though most trees have a similar number of apples, the fruit itself is generally smaller in size.
Water availability remains a major challenge for fruit production. Agriculture Minister Martine Hansen highlights the need to store excess rainwater during winter, enabling growers to use it during dry periods.
She emphasises that both fruit and vegetable producers depend on a reliable water supply, so it is essential to consider all possible solutions, ranging from capturing springs to constructing reservoirs.
These solutions would help collect water and minimise the use of drinking water for irrigation, given the importance of drinking water for the population.
This year, protective netting has become even more valuable. The nets provide not only protection against hail, but also shade that shields apples from excessive sun exposure.
Harvest timing is crucial to ensure quality. According to experts, what matters most in a quality apple is not just its appearance, but also flavour; apples should be juicy, sweet, and have a distinctive taste. Minor blemishes or irregular shapes do not affect the quality.
The hot summer has also brought an increase in mice, which dig holes in the ground and may damage the roots of trees, posing another challenge for fruit growers.
Despite a smaller harvest, producers remain optimistic about the taste of this year’s apples.
The summer of 2026 has once again demonstrated the crucial importance of water management and protection from heat for fruit growers in Luxembourg.
