According to Nancy Goovaerts of leading Belgian supplier Univeg, producers in eastern Belgium suffered losses of approximately €60m as a result of the fierce storm that struck on 18 August.
Damage to fruit trees was apparently very local, with some regions far more affected than others, but pictures have shown apple trees felled, fruit severely damaged and greenhouses destroyed.
'The hail caused greater damage to the apples than the pears since they are a more sensitive fruit,' revealed Goovaerts.
Prior to the storm, fruit growers had predicted a 10 per cent increase in total apple volumes; due to the storm, only 25 per cent of that volume will now be available for export.
According to Goovaerts, this will have a big impact on the turnover of apple growers in specific parts of Belgium.
