Frosty spring, severe damage: fruit harvest could collapse in 2025

The cooling, classified as a type of transported frost, hit hardest on the night of April 7 and 8, affecting more than two-thirds of the country’s orchards. In addition to stone fruits – apricots, sour cherries, cherries, plums – apples, pears and quince are also at greatest risk this year. The cold during flowering is particularly critical, as it can wipe out the entire crop in a single night.

According to József Tölgyfa, a specialist consultant at Vitafer Hungária, this year it is not ruled out that even meeting domestic demand will cause problems, so the shortage will have to be made up for by imports. A significant increase in market prices is expected, especially since similar damage occurred in Poland and Austria.

In 2024, Hungary escaped significant frost damage, but 2025 could be one of the most difficult years for fruit growers. The development and application of frost protection solutions in agriculture is becoming increasingly urgent – such extreme weather events may become more frequent due to climate change.