A shortage of stone fruits is expected in the Chernihiv region due to frost
17 May 17:15
Farmer Volodymyr Popruga, who has been growing fruit near the village of Vybli in the Chernihiv region for 22 years, spoke about significant crop losses. Due to the winter cold and spring frosts, the farm’s apricots and peaches were completely destroyed, and the cherry plums were also affected. According to the farmer, the low temperatures damaged all the young pear trees, approximately 20% of the plum trees, and up to 3% of the mature apple trees. This was reported by “Suspilne Chernihiv,” as relayed by "Komersant Ukrainian".
“The apricot crop is completely gone. Last year the frost took it, and this year too. We’re left with no apricots,” said Volodymyr Popruga.
The frosts also affected the berry crop. The centers of the strawberries, which were in bloom a week ago, have turned black, leading the farmer to predict a loss of about 20% of the first harvest of the largest berries. Despite this, Volodymyr Popruga is hoping for a good apple harvest, as flowering was abundant this year.
“We won’t have anything here. If we do, it will be a very small harvest. Maybe there will be cherries, plums, maybe a little bit more. No apricots, no peaches,” the farmer stated.
According to data from the regional administration’s Department of Agricultural Development, temperatures in the region dropped to -2–4°C in late April. Orchards in the Pryluky, Nizhyn, and southern parts of the Chernihiv district were hit hardest. Deputy Director of the department Vasyl Zhuk noted that commercial orchard farming is not typical for the region, and 93% of orchards are on private farms. According to experts’ forecasts, traditional stone fruits will have to be imported to the region from other regions or from abroad.
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