Farmers record up to 100% of fruit crop losses due to frost in the Mykolaiv region

In the Mykolaiv region, the April cold snap has almost completely destroyed the stone fruit crop — apricot, cherry, and cherry plum — in the region. Some farms recorded 100% losses.

This was reported by Olena Piskun, director of the agriculture department of the Mykolaiv Regional State Administration, according to NikVesti.

Every year, the region harvests about 17,000 tonnes of fruit. According to preliminary estimates, this year Mykolaiv region may not receive at least 30% of the usual volume. Due to frost, the blossoms and ovaries on apricots, cherries and cherry plums have been almost completely lost.

«Fruit trees that were in bloom at the time were severely affected. The flowering was lost and the fruits were almost 100% damaged, according to the data we received from agricultural producers from different territories, from the south and north of our region,» said Olena Piskun.

According to preliminary estimates:

• pear lost up to 80% of the crop,

• cherries, peaches and plums — up to 50%,

• in the south of the region, apple trees that were already in bloom were damaged — up to 50%,

• In the north, where apple trees have not yet blossomed, the situation is somewhat better.

As for grain crops, the early winter rapeseed has been partially damaged, especially in open areas. Farmers are inspecting the crops and plan to use anti-stress agents to give the crops a chance to recover.

According to Piskun, grain crops have not been affected so far. However, it is too early to draw any final conclusions as May may bring a new wave of frosts.

Bad weather in Mykolaiv region on 11 April

Friday 11 April in Mykolaiv began with snow, with traffic jams and broken tree branches in some yards. In addition, in some settlements of the region, there were problems with power supply, and some roads were blocked. Utilities started cleaning up in the morning. The city council reported that the main focus was on eliminating the consequences of the shelling, but the roads were also treated with anti-icing agents.

Police officers helped drivers who got stuck in the snow, and residents were asked to be careful: the roads were slippery and many cars were already on summer tyres. There were cases of trees falling on the streets as a result of snow sticking.

See how Mykolaiv looked like in the morning after the spring snow in this photo report NikVesti.