Fruit farmers in Latvia have suffered significant losses following a recent spell of unseasonably cold weather. The temperature dropped to as low as -7°C in some areas, causing widespread damage to fruit and berry crops. The industry association is now planning to seek assistance from the Ministry of Agriculture to help alleviate the impact of the frost.
The damage to sweet cherries has been particularly severe, with their petals turning brown and the stigma blackened due to the cold.
The Vidzeme region was particularly badly hit, with some farms experiencing 80-90% yield losses. The Latvian fruit growers’ association has expressed concern over the situation and plans to request aid from the Ministry of Agriculture. Board chairwoman Māra Rudzāte has called for the organization to provide evidence of the damage, including photos and video footage, to support their case for assistance. The full extent of the damage is still being calculated, although it is clear that this year’s harvest will be significantly reduced.
