Fruit disaster – huge losses after frosts

In late March and the first half of April, the weather pleasantly surprised, and with record warm temperatures, nature began to vigorously awaken. Unfortunately, winter has returned, and fruit growers, gardeners and grape growers have been particularly hard hit. It is already clear that post-frost losses will be not insignificant, which will certainly affect this year’s fruit prices. However, growers do not give up and bravely fight the vagaries of the aura.

Arctic air attacked orchards, vineyards, plantations

All to blame is the low that came over Poland from the North Sea. Arctic air brought with it overnight frosts – thermometers in some regions of the country indicated -4°C. According to IMGW-PIB, warming is not expected until tomorrow.

Unfortunately, a week of low temperatures has left its mark on crops. Robert Binkiewicz, an expert from Agrosimex, reported in a cyclical orchard announcement on April 23 that in most regions of Poland, post-frost losses are very high. In Greater Poland, where as much as -8°C has been recorded in places, much of the crop is quite damaged. Particularly high losses were observed in apple, cherry and sweet cherry orchards, which were just in full bloom.

Piotr Pasik, president of the National Cherry Producers Association, in an interview with the sad24.pl portal, reported that cherry orchards in the Sandomierz region, the Powisle region of Lublin, Kujawy and Greater Poland have suffered the most. Locally, losses are said to be as high as 40-50 percent. Radio Kielce, in turn, reported that in Sandomierz’s apple orchards, frost losses could reach up to 80-90 percent. Indeed, this year’s frosts attacked not only at the ground itself, but even 2 meters above the ground.

Other fruits also fell victim to the capricious April. The family plantation “Strawberries at Musialik’s” from Piekary Slaskie reported on its Facebook profile that overnight an eight-degree frost destroyed much of the crop, despite the fact that it was covered with agro-fiber. “Dziennik Bałtycki” quoted statements from Kashubian growers who are just starting to count losses after the frosts. The owner of the 8-hectare plantation in Stężyca, Lukasz Dułak, estimates that up to 70 percent may have been affected. crops. All indications are that last year’s prices reaching as high as PLN 15/kg will be beaten this season.

Difficult fight against frosts

For many fruit growers, April’s post-frost losses can be the disaster of the season – so few are giving up without a fight. Unfortunately, the agro-textile only helps with low frosts. Hence, modern orchards use hail nets or undercropping sprinklers, and apply special fertilizers during the day. Orchardists also carry out smokejumping, which partially protects trees from low temperatures.

Desperate grape growers have been battling frost for nights over the past week. Entire families and local communities mobilized. At the historic Milosz vineyard in Laz, mounds of straw and wood were built between the rows of vines, and bonfires were lit. Reportedly, up to 90 percent could be saved. plants. A helicopter flew over the Lubuska Vineyard in Zabor all night to stir the air and protect the vines. Unfortunately, it didn’t work everywhere. The president of the Lower Silesia Vineyards Association, Marek Dymkowski, in an interview with bankier.pl, estimated that after a week of frosts and freezes, losses in Lower Silesia are colossal, up to 100 percent. In some locations. Alarming news is also coming from Lubuskie and Opole provinces.

Grzegorz Kasprzak of the Paradise Strawberry farm sprinkled the agrofiber-covered bushes all night to keep them from freezing. Field irrigation was also set up at Frank’s strawberry plantation in Slubice. Nowhere was it without serious damage. Owners of raspberry and blueberry plantations also fought for their crops. Many growers have several rough nights in a row behind them, extra expenses and an uncertain future.

Can farmers count on compensation for post-frost losses?

A number of municipalities have already announced the possibility of submitting written applications for the estimation of damage to crops caused by spring frosts. The relevant applications supported by photographic documentation will then be forwarded to the Agency for Modernization and Restructuring of Agriculture. Farmers who in 2023. suffered losses after frost, drought, heavy rains and other adverse weather events received a total of 490 million zlotys from AMiRR, which still did not fully compensate for the losses. Time will tell if, and to what extent, state support will compensate fruit and wine growers for this year’s losses.

Photo. main: courtesy of Strawberry at Musialik’s