An organic fruit farm that is at the forefront of the healthy aronia berry industry conducts research and offers cultivation advice – this sounds less like traditional agriculture and more like a living transformation. Bioobst Görnitz in Coswig near Dresden has developed from a former GDR collective farm into one of the market leaders in biodynamic apple and specialty crop cultivation. Sparkasse Meißen, a strong financial partner with regional expertise, has supported its sustainable orientation from the very beginning.
Foundation of the agricultural cooperative LPG “1st May” in Coswig
Start of aronia cultivation on the Elbe meadows
Privatisation of the LPG and founding of the Coswig fruit-growing community
The fruit-growing cooperative is turned into the Görnitz family business
Bioobst Görnitz GmbH & Co. KG is founded as an organic branch
Complete conversion to biodynamic farming (Demeter)
Awarded the “Innovative through Research” seal of approval for the third time
Expansion of hail protection systems and expansion of land and vehicle fleet
Bioland member
Participation in the EU project “Horti QD”
Organic pear orchards with weather, frost protection and sensor systems
Michael Görnitz stands between the endless rows of his aronia bushes. Their green leaves glisten in the morning dew and, despite the dryness of this spring, the plantation looks vibrant. “We are very satisfied with the fruit development this year,” explains the farmer, whose family has been farming in Coswig for decades. He can also be satisfied with the investments made in recent years: numerous new well systems, a water collection basin, an extensive irrigation network with over 100 kilometres of underground water pipes and a clever choice of varieties help to effectively combat drought stress.
“Today, we not only have to think organically, but also climate-smart,” explains Görnitz, who has been farming his land organically since 2008 and biodynamically according to Demeter standards since 2015. With almost 50 hectares of cultivated land, Bioobst Görnitz is one of the largest organic aronia growers in Germany. Apples, pears, berries and special crops such as rose hips also thrive on a further 230 hectares. This means a total of around 300 hectares of land is dedicated to fruit cultivation. The farm has long since become more than just a producer: in addition to marketing its products nationally to retailers and selling them in its on-site farm shop, it also develops its own products such as Demeter juices, smoothies and apple sauce, which it sells under its own brand.
Brief profile of Bioobst Görnitz
This family business based in Coswig (Saxony), whose roots date back to 1991, evolved from the agricultural cooperative LPG “1st May”. Since 2015, the fruit has been grown completely biodynamically in accordance with Demeter guidelines. The company grows apples, pears, red and black currants and raspberries, as well as special crops such as aronia, rose hips and jostaberries on a total of around 313 hectares. The aronia cultivation covers an area of around 80 hectares, making it one of the largest contiguous cultivation areas in Germany. Bioobst Görnitz has received multiple awards as a research-based company and it also offers cultivation advice to other businesses.
www.bioobst-goernitz.de
From agricultural cooperative to green pioneer
The path to today’s traditional family business began with a dramatic change: after reunification in 1991, the East German agricultural cooperative LPG “1st May” became a fruit-growing community that continued to operate conventionally, with Volker Görnitz, Michael Görnitz’s father, as one of three founding partners. The next big step was the transition from fruit-growing community to the Görnitz family business in 2009 when Michael Görnitz also joined the company after completing his studies in biochemistry and horticulture. From then on, the business underwent a decisive shift towards organic farming and the first organic fruit crops were planted. In 2011, Bioobst Görnitz GbR was founded as an organic subsidiary of the business. Sparkasse Meißen was heavily involved in both realignments as an advisor and financier.
Finally, in 2015, after years of consolidation and realignment, the existing businesses were taken over and the company changed its legal form to Bioobst Görnitz GmbH & Co. KG as part of an internal family succession, with a complete focus on biodynamic cultivation. “Even the establishment of the subsidiary, and even more so the complete conversion, was more than just a strategic decision for us, and we were glad to have Sparkasse Meißen at our side. We wanted to show our commitment – to people, nature and the market,” emphasises Michael Görnitz. “As a family business, it was of course equally important for us that the transition to the next generation went so smoothly thanks to the active support of Sparkasse Meissen.”
»The complete conversion to organic farming was more than just a strategic decision for us, and we were glad to have Sparkasse Meissen at our side. Biodynamic fruit production is our identity.«
Managing Director of Bioobst Görnitz
Lars Richter, agricultural consultant at Sparkasse Meißen, looks back fondly: “Even though I have only been working with Bioobst Görnitz since 2021, the cooperation with my predecessors was always based on trust. Sparkasse Meißen has provided financial support and advice on succession planning, the switch to organic farming and almost every step of the company’s growth since then.” Richter knows the industry and now also the business very well and is a regular visitor: “It feels like I have a second office on the farm,” he says with a smile.
»Sparkasse Meißen has provided financial support and advice on succession planning, the switch to organic farming and almost every step of our growth since then.«
Agricultural Consultant at Sparkasse Meißen
Partnership through all stages of maturity
Like the fruit he grows, the business has also continued to mature, and Görnitz appreciates the close support provided by Sparkasse Meissen. Whether it’s land purchases, technology financing or interim financing for EU agricultural subsidies, Sparkasse Meissen has always been a reliable partner. The most recent example is the financing of the further expansion of the hail protection system, which is becoming increasingly important in view of climate change.
A flexible framework loan will enable the organic fruit farm to make even faster investment decisions in the future. These may also be necessary due to the farm’s other exciting activities. After all, innovation is not just a buzzword at Bioobst Görnitz, but an everyday reality, as reflected in the company motto “Regional genius since 1991”. The company not only cultivates fruit, but also conducts research and advises other companies. Its own research activities include developing new cultivation strategies and testing varieties for climate suitability. This internal research, combined with the experience gained and specialist knowledge, enables the company to offer its expertise to other farmers through consultations, workshops and collaborations.
Bioobst Görnitz is a project partner in the EU project HortiQD, which is being implemented by a total of twelve companies and institutes from four European countries. The project is working on the development of an autonomous tractor that uses a high-resolution special camera and artificial intelligence (AI) to detect pests and diseases in orchards and transmit information to fruit growers in real time.
www.hortiqd-project.eu
For its research achievements, Bioobst Görnitz has been awarded the “Innovative through Research” seal of approval by the Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft (Donors’ Association for the Promotion of Sciences and Humanities in Germany) since 2016. “We see it as our duty to think beyond our day-to-day business,” emphasises Michael Görnitz. “Only those who look ahead can operate sustainably.”
The Sparkasse, in turn, sees its support for the organic fruit farm as part of a larger whole: “We stand for long-term, regional development,” explains Lars Richter. “This also includes supporting innovative businesses like Görnitz and growing together with them.”
During the long years of cooperation, Bioobst Görnitz has benefited not only from the services offered by Sparkasse Meißen, but also from the East German Savings Banks Association (OSV). Michael Görnitz himself is involved in this, giving specialist lectures and hosting events such as the OSV agricultural symposium in September 2024, which took place partly on the farm premises. Görnitz once again demonstrated how regional agriculture can shape the future. For Sparkasse Meißen, the agricultural business therefore remains a central part of its identity. With deep regional roots, expert advisors with industry know-how and a clear commitment to sustainable development, it aims to continue promoting agriculture in Saxony in a targeted manner.
Brief profile of Sparkasse Meißen
Sparkasse Meißen has been active as a financial services provider, employer and regional sponsor in the district of the same name for almost 200 years. With more than 120,000 current accounts, total assets of EUR 3.38 billion and a customer loan volume of EUR 1.64 billion, it is an important factor in the region’s economic stability. Particular attention is paid to supporting regional companies, including agricultural businesses, which are provided with industry-specific advice and tailor-made financing solutions as well as agricultural income accounts as a basis for business payments. In addition to Lars Richter, an agricultural consultant is also available.
www.sparkasse-meissen.de
The Savings Bank in the Meissen district
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