May 4 2007, 12:20

Frosts killed most part of fruit and grape harvest in Moldova and dramatically reduced the expected harvest in Poland

According to information provided by the market monitoring specialists of ""Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits" journal", the early May frosts severely injured the harvest of almost all fruits and grape. Some Moldavian producers report about 70-90% killed fruiting buds of stone fruit trees and the considerable percent of the fruiting buds killed in table and commercial grape vineyards. According to the preliminary data, peach orchards were affected the most severely. Apple orchards survived better.

Some Polish farmers informed about 10 C0 below zero in the first nights of May; thus early strawberry was killed even under agrifiber and film cover. Apple trees were affected much as frosts occurred in the apple trees blooming period. However, other experts consider these messages as groundless and far from reality - the experts point out that Polish farmers are just trying to sell remaining apples of 2006 harvest from their storages for a better price.

Poland and Moldova are the largest fruit suppliers on the markets of Ukraine and Russia (despite of the trade embargo), that's why the decreased perspectives of fruit production in these countries will have influence on the inner markets of Ukraine and Russia. You can get more information about the price and production perspectives for fruits and vegetables, which were developed by the analysts of "Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits" journal. The forecast will be updated soon in regard of the May frosts impact.