Initial fears of devastating losses in Moldova's fruit sector have eased, as new assessments from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry indicate that the damage from late spring frosts was less severe than initially feared. According to preliminary data, approximately 8,600 hectares of orchards were affected by adverse weather conditions.
Estimated crop losses by fruit type are now as follows:
- Cherries: up to 55% yield reduction
- Apricots and plums: 40–45%
- Peaches and sour cherries: 25–30%
- Apples and walnuts: 15–20%
These figures are subject to further refinement before the government finalizes decisions on the scale and method of potential assistance for growers.
In April and May, early estimates suggested losses of up to 70–90% for some stone fruit varieties. However, by mid-June, many farmers noted that while early cherry varieties were impacted (by 40–50%), some late-ripening varieties may outperform last year's harvest.
Due to the absence of a recent comprehensive agricultural census, none has been conducted in over 25 years, the exact total area of fruit orchards in Moldova remains unclear. However, sector experts estimate that the 8,600 hectares mentioned by the Ministry represent no more than 10–15% of Moldova's total orchard area.
Source: logos-pres.md