10 August 2026

Photo: Sönke Häseler

As part of the KERMIT project, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in fruit growing, the FNK team conducted a survey of German fruit growers. The survey focused on three main questions: (1) whether respondents had been approached by stakeholders to provide a carbon footprint; (2) whether they had prepared such an emissions statement; and (3) their general attitude towards GHG accounting. While no first-hand information on these questions has so far been available, rising legal and market expectations regarding the reporting of GHG emissions along the food supply chain create the perception among fruit growers that they are under pressure to embrace what many see as an unwanted additional burden.

A preliminary analysis of the 163 responses will be published by Dr. Sönke Häseler of the FNK and Dr. Matthias Görgens of the Landwirtschaftskammer Niedersachsen in the upcoming September issue of the Research Bulletin of the Fruit-Growing Centre Jork (OVR Mitteilungen). The authors found that experience with GHG accounting among German fruit growers remains very limited. The topic is much less advanced than in dairy farming, for example. A full scientific article on the survey results is currently being prepared.