Bad weather in March to have little effect on future harvest of fruit and grapes in Ukraine, says ministry
The cold and snow in March had almost no effect on the state of fruit trees, berries and vineyards in Ukraine, the Agricultural Policy and Food Ministry of Ukraine has reported.
"Despite the abnormal weather at the end of March, most fruit trees, berries and vineyards in Ukraine are in a good and satisfactory state," the ministry said on Monday, citing Minister Mykola Prysiazhniuk.
The ministry said that in Crimea apple and pear trees were not affected by the bad weather, and cherry and prune trees' reproductive buds are 5% damaged, and peaches from 5% to 15%. The most harm was caused to apricot trees in some southern regions and Crimea, which could reduce the future harvest in the regions by up to 20%.
The minister said that damage of buds could be considered natural thinning out, which will promote the formation of better future harvests.
"2012/13 winter was favorable for the growth and hibernation of grapes in all five regions that are engaged in grape-growing. We did not have problems with frost. We expect that grape harvest will be large in all of the grape-growing regions of Ukraine," Prysiazhniuk said.
As reported, in March extreme cold and snow was seen in Ukraine, which is unusual for this season.
Ukraine in 2012 increased its fruit and berry harvest by 5.9%, to two million tonnes. Last year its grape harvest fell by 12.6%, to 456,000 tonnes.
Interfax
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