Apple numbers tumble with overall fruit volumes set to fall 77 per cent

Severe spring frosts in the Czech Republic have badly hit fruit volumes, according to reports in the country.

Apples covered in frost Adobe stock

Apples covered in frost Adobe stock

Martin Ludvag, chairman of the Fruit Growers’ Union, told news service iRozhlas that Czech fruit volumes were set to fall 77 per cent on the five-year average as a result of the extreme weather.

Apple volumes had been particularly badly hurt, he said, with yields expected to be down by as much as 80 per cent.

As a result of the frosts, the country’s agriculture minister Marek Výborný said the government would provide farmers with state aid of around CZK70m-100m (€2.8m-4m) to help them survive.