Apricots may become very expensive

By: Trademagazin Date: 2024. 02. 26. 11:15

As a result of the mild weather, apricots have begun to bloom in several places across the country, but gardeners are worried about the persistent frost, which could endanger this year’s crop – Béla Mártonffy, president of the National Horticultural and Supply Industry Department of the National Chamber of Agriculture, pointed out on InfoRádio.

As a direct effect of climate change, the buds have already opened and the apricots have reached a red bud state. Although most of the country is not yet in full bloom, due to the process that has started, there is a risk that the apricot plantations will be damaged in the event of cold weather, similar to the experiences of the past years.

Béla Mártonffy emphasized that frost protection is a challenge, especially depending on the stage at which the fruit ripens. In weather colder than minus two or three degrees, it is difficult to protect the crop even with the use of frost protection equipment. The extent to which this year’s apricot crop will be affected depends on the weather.

The gardeners are now confident that there will be no cold period in the next period, as it is difficult to counteract the greater cold with the available protection tools. The specialist draws attention to the fact that it would be ideal if the temperature were to rise gradually, but the experience of the past years shows that there is always a drop and the cold returns. The gardeners now only hope that this time they will avoid adverse weather conditions that could threaten the future harvest of the apricot plantations.