Disappointing season for fruits in Switzerland

In Switzerland, frost in spring and bad weather along with hail in summer caused considerable damage to fruit crops. The summer fruit season has been disappointing.

 

According to Fruit-Union Suisse, 2021 has not been a good year for fruit. Cold temperatures in April and May with many frosty nights followed by heavy rains in summer as well as bad weather along with hail made this season disappointing.

 

The cherry harvest was averaging almost 1,500 tonnes, a volume equivalent to 72% of the 5-year average. The prune harvest was low at 1,300 tonnes, or a volume equivalent to 40% of the 5-year average. The apricot harvest was even weaker at 2,200 tonnes, or a volume equivalent to 35% of the 5-year average.

 

For berry production the situation is much better. The harvest of strawberries and other berries (raspberries, blackberries, blueberries) is within the average of the last 5 years. This good result is easily explained: a large part of the berries are grown in modern facilities under plastic tunnels and therefore sheltered from bad weather.

 

The lack of weather protection largely explains, according to Fruit-Union Suisse, the low production of cherries, prunes and apricots.

source : swissfruit.ch