Frosts in Poland will affect the amount of fruit in the coming season
Destroyed blueberry, strawberry and cherry plantations. Fruit growers are counting losses after the last frosts.
In Western Poland, blueberry, strawberry, mini kiwi and cherry plantations suffered the most. Frosts destroyed from 20 to even 100 percent of their crops in Greater Poland.
In the Lublin region (Eastern Poland), fruit growers found that April frosts reaching -11 degrees Celsius damaged buds, flowers and fruit buds of most fruit trees and shrubs. Cherries endured the worst, although there will be very few currants and gooseberries.
Additionally, the weather also means that the plantations are not in good condition. Even though there are few fruits, they require additional protection as disease pressure is very high. Polish farmers also receive information from colleagues from other parts of the country. They say that they won't use combine harvesters on most of their plantations because they simply don't have any fruit there.
Due to the unexpected warming of the climate in early April, during the frosts most fruit plantations were in the flowering phase and the initial growth of fruit buds. Strawberry, raspberry, gooseberry and currant plantations also froze.
The Polish Minister of Agriculture has already announced support. He proposed, among others: hectare subsidies, tax restrictions and cheap loans. The ministry also wants to intervene in the European Commission.
Source: TVP/ PPR/ Radio Lublin / RMF