Apple harvest will decline one third, the import will grow 40% in Czech Republic

The Prague Post informs that apple production will decline one-third in Czech Republic in 2007. Czech farmers consider May frosts to be the main reason for the declined apple production; also they blame heavy rainfalls with hail just after frosts. The farmers' losses are estimated worth to US$18 mln. Apples constitute 80% of the total fruit harvest in the country, so that the whole produce business of Czech Republic will get into problem.
According to the experts' evaluations, apple import to Czech Republic may grow 35-40%. Past year around 60% of the demand of inner market was satisfied by means of the own production; this year the import share will exceed the share of apples of Czech origin.