Press reports in Canada suggest that frost which hit Ontario apple orchards on 28-29 April has decimated production to only about 20 per cent of usual volumes.

Losses are estimated at C$100 million (£62m) in what could be industry’s worst disaster in the province. Warm temperatures led fruit trees to bloom early before tempetraures plunged at the end of last monthaffecting pears, plums, peaches, nectarines and cherries also. Empire apples grown in Ontario are exported to the UK.