Provisional assessment of freezing episodes in France

Apricot. The campaign in its 1st period was to start around May 15 with expected volumes similar to the previous campaign. Apricot is the species that has been the most affected by the frost, if losses of up to 80 or 100% are to be deplored in certain areas (Ardèche, Drôme), the harvest at the national level should be around 40 to 50% of normal potential. For the second period of the campaign, in July and August, volumes will be even smaller than in 2020.

 

 

 

Peach-nectarine. The harvest is estimated to reach a volume of 65 to 75% of the potential. The region most affected is the Rhône-Alpes region, where losses of up to 100% have been recorded for some farms. The more southern regions, like the Gard, have much less losses.

 

 

 

Plum. Harvest estimates will be announced in early May, as professionals believe it is still too early. However, the Agen prune sector is strongly impacted with losses estimated at 30,000 tonnes out of the 45,000 tonnes of plums produced on average each year, according to Nicolas Mortemousque, president of the BIP (Bureau Interprofessionnel du Pruneau).

 

 

 

Cherry. The damage is significant in early cherry orchards, depending on the region (Loiret, Vaucluse) the total loss concerns 30 to 50% of the surfaces, for others (Ardèche) the losses reach 90%. For late varieties, estimates are difficult but their yield could mitigate the losses suffered.

 

 

 

Apple. According to the initial estimates of ANPP (National Association of Apples and Pears) losses should be at least around 30% and for some areas around 50%.

 

 

 

Wine. For the most publicized agricultural sector, estimates point to a loss of at least 1/3 of French wine production, which represents a shortfall of around 2 billion euros.

 

 

 

 

 

source: ladepeche.fr, ledauphine.com, lunion.fr, laprovence.com, francebleu.fr