Cruel April frost damage: up to 100% crop loss possible

Different types of frost damage cause different effects

April frosts are typical of the Carpathian Basin, where cold air from the north flows in more easily due to the weakening trade winds. We distinguish two types of frosts: radiation frosts, which typically occur on clear, calm nights, near ground level, and last for a short time. In addition, there are transported frosts, when cold air from the north flows into the region, and temperatures below freezing can persist for up to 8–10 hours. This year’s April cold snap was clearly of the latter type, transported frost. Temperatures dropped below freezing for several consecutive nights across the country, particularly affecting orchards and spring-sown crops. The greatest damage was caused by the low temperatures measured on the nights of April 7 and 8, 2025 – more than two-thirds of Hungary’s fruit-growing area was affected by these frosts.

“It was during the cold nights in early April, when temperatures dropped to -8 degrees Celsius. This phenomenon can also be partly linked to global climate change,”

– said József Tölgyfa, a plant protection engineer and consultant at Vitafer Hungária Kft., who highlighted that although frosts are not unusual in Hungary in spring, this year’s nightly minus temperatures could have caused serious damage.

Early-blooming fruit trees are most susceptible

The frosts primarily affected early-blooming fruit trees – such as apricots, cherries, sour cherries and plums – but apples, pears and quince were also at risk. These trees are sensitive to cold, especially during flowering. Frost can even take away the entire crop in a single night.

“Due to the unusually cold weather, we can expect a yield loss of up to 80–100% in several places, especially for stone fruits,” emphasized József Tölgyfa.