Fruit & berry harvest 2007 will exceed 2 mln. tons in Ukraine

Spring frosts have become the main reason for the regular losses or almost full destruction of fruit harvest in Ukraine of the recent years. According to evaluations of "Fruit-Inform" analysts, as a result of the mentioned factor Ukraine has lost around 2 mln. tons of berries and fruit in the recent 4 years. This harvest is equal to the sum worth to US$ 1 billion.
The abnormally mild winter and early spring 2008 were sure to alert Ukrainian orchardists who follow the weather forecasts very attentively. Usually the threat of frosts is urgent till May 5th-10th in most regions of Ukraine. The weather forecast is favorable till the beginning of May; but the possibility of the decrease of the night temperature in the western, northern and central regions of the country down to 1-3 Co in the period April 24th till 27th should put the orchardists into alert. After that, according to the tentative forecasts, the temperature increase is expected early May.
So, Ukrainian orchardists may avoid the fruit losses because of frosts in 2008, and this possibility increases day by day. The tentative forecasts of "Fruit-Inform" analysts tell about the great probability of the harvest of more than 2 mln. tons of fruit and berries. However, the producers should remember that mild winter leads to the increased activeness of the pests and diseases, which are also able to decrease the harvest.
Source: www.lol.org.ua