In the second week of April, temperatures in large parts of Hungary dropped to -7 degrees Celsius for several nights in a row. "This came at exactly the wrong time, as stone fruit, especially cherries and apricots, were already in full bloom. Although we cannot yet quantify the frost damage precisely, the outlook is particularly bleak for apricots. The first two or three early sweet cherry varieties will also suffer almost total losses. We expect losses for apples and plums, but not to the same extent as for the products mentioned above," reports Sandor Makai, a renowned fruit exporter and supplier to the Vienna wholesale market.
There will be losses in almost all important fruit-growing areas of the Central European republic, Makai continues. "There are a few farms that got off lightly, but these are exceptions. Overall, up to 80–90 percent of Hungarian stone fruit farms have already suffered frost damage. Unfortunately, the frost protection measures that most fruit growers have in place today were unable to help us in such sub-zero temperatures."
The first strawberries from Hungarian cultivation are currently met with subdued demand, which is mainly due to fierce competition from cheaper produce from Greece. According to Makai, this is a relatively small export product. He expects the first early apricots from Hungary to arrive around May 20. Despite severe frost damage, it is not all bad news. "Last year, all crops got off to an unusually early start, which is why the quality has not always been convincing. This year, we are back on schedule, and we must now hold to this as we look ahead to the rest of the season," concludes Makai.
For more information:
Makai Sándor
Makai Frucht Kft.
Laxenburger Str. 365.
1230 Vienna (wholesale market)
Tel: +36-30-202-6416
[email protected]
http://www.makaifrucht.webtelek.hu/