Fruit and vegetable producers in Romania are calling for urgent state intervention following late spring frost episodes that have severely impacted the country's horticultural output. The Association of Agricultural Producer Groups and Organisations "Fruleg-Ro" highlights that these weather conditions have led to a near-total crop failure, affecting both the industry and rural employment.
Romania's fruit and vegetable sectors, which cover over 140,000 hectares and 93,000 hectares respectively, typically produce 1.4 million tons of fruits and 2.3 million tons of vegetables annually. However, the recent extreme weather from late February to April has jeopardized these outputs.
The "Fruleg-Ro" association warns that without compensation, the impact could lead to long-term consequences, such as orchard abandonment. They state, "An abandoned orchard, to which specific conservation works are not applied, has minimal chances of recovery, even in a subsequent favourable meteorological context."
Romania already imports a significant portion of its fruit and vegetable consumption, with 40% of fruits and 25% of vegetables sourced from abroad. In 2023, fruit imports reached 915,000 tons, valued at EUR 940 million, with major suppliers including Turkey, Greece, Germany, and Poland.
The association cautions that without government support, Romania's reliance on imports will increase, further affecting the country's food and economic security.
Source: MLVVN