May 21 2007, 09:22

Lithuanian and Latvian orchardists inform about significant losses of fruit and berry harvest because of frosts

According to information provided by Latvian mass media, fruit harvest will significantly decline this year in the country as a result of frosts in February and early May: this disaster killed the ready-to-bloom buds. The producers of raspberry, blueberry, plum and sour cherry inform about the most significant losses. According to evaluations of the orchardists, fruit and berry harvest may reduce almost twofold.

The independent experts consider the evaluation data to be groundless. They speak about significantly fewer losses; to their opinion, farmers traditionally make such messages hoping to inflate prices for their produce. The experts say that apple and pear trees survived winter well; at the present moment the top record harvest of these crops (major fruit crops for the country) is expected. In the whole, the production decrease will undoubtedly take place, but the decline will hardly be 50% and even is unlikely to exceed 20-30%. Still everyone is sure that the prices for fruits and berries will be higher than usually this season.

According to information of ""Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits" journal", a notable reduction of fruit production will be observed this year throughout Europe. Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Hungary, Western and South-Western regions of Ukraine, some other countries - large produce growers were affected much seriously than Latvia. To the opinion of the analysts of "Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits" journal, this year the growers of fresh produce have a good opportunity to increase the export shipments of early vegetables, fruits and berries to the EU countries.