January 4 2003, 19:02 APK-Inform

Ukraine lost about 30 pc winter crops to December frosts - weather expert

According to preliminary data, about 30 percent of winter crops plantings, predominantly barley, has been killed by December frosts, a specialists at Ukraine's Centre of Hydro-Meteorology has told APK-Inform.

Specialists have said current situation is similar to those of 1963 and 1969, when winter crops in Ukraine were sown in late terms in similar weather conditions. They said that the new frosts, forecast for Christmas, would bring new negative effects to condition of the crops.

However, there has been much diversity in forecasts and significant differences in meteorologists' opinions on the issue.