Crop losses in Ukraine from drought and frost reach 100% in some areas, agrarian official says

Severe drought and late spring frost have devastated stone fruit orchards across parts of Ukraine, with some farms reporting total crop loss, according to Denys Marchuk, deputy chairman of the Ukrainian Agri Council. 

“Certain losses have occurred due to relative drought and frost,” Marchuk said during a briefing at Media Center Ukraine. “If we look at the types of crops affected, fruit trees, particularly stone fruits, have suffered the most. Some farms lost 100% of their harvest, especially peaches and apricots. Losses for cherries and sweet cherries range from 30% to 50% per farm. Pear and apple trees were also partially affected.”

Marchuk warned that the damage is likely to drive up consumer prices.

“On average, this category of products could become more than 30% more expensive compared to last year,” he said.

Efforts to bring some relief to the market through imports have also fallen short.

“I had hoped imports could help balance out pricing,” Marchuk said. “But the reality is that nearly all of Eastern Europe was hit by frost, and many of the potential exporters who could have supplied Ukraine have also suffered crop losses.”

Read more: https://mediacenter.org.ua/news