Experts fear that frosts in the spring of 2025 may lead to the same fatal consequences for cherries, plums and peaches as in 2024.
It is possible that gardeners in the central and southern parts of the country may lose up to 40% of their harvest, experts say. This is especially true for regions such as Krasnodar, Stavropol, Bryansk and Crimea.
We are talking about frosts that unexpectedly hit at the beginning of April. Stone fruits may suffer significantly from this, according to the Union of Gardeners of Russia.
Its president Igor Mukhanin notes: “We were just in the South during the frost period, in Gelendzhik. There have been severe frosts for the last two or three days. The same situation is in Crimea — they are currently counting losses there.”
At the same time, the situation in the Krasnodar Territory is even worse, since the snowfalls occurred during the flowering period of the gardens. This led to the fact that the plants were not pollinated by bees.
But there is still hope that the country will not be left without fruit.
The fact is that plants have a large «bloom reserve»: they produce much more flowers than they ultimately produce fruit.
Therefore, if at least 5% of flowers eventually turn into ovaries, this will be enough to provide gardeners with a minimum harvest.
Nevertheless, a significant reduction in the volume of fruit harvest is most likely unavoidable, and it is time to prepare for this now, analysts warn.
«The frosts occurred in the southern regions of Russia, where such delicate stone fruits as cherries, apricots and peaches are grown. And they fell during the flowering period of these crops, especially their early varieties.
Flowers damaged by frost will no longer become fruit and will not produce a harvest.
What will happen to late varieties remains to be seen. But the reduction in the harvest will most likely be quite significant,” notes Irina Koziy, head of the Berry Academy project.
The situation with berries is slightly better for now, since they had not yet begun to bloom when the frosts hit.
However, due to the fact that the frosts had a strong impact on the soil, it is possible that the plants themselves suffered.
In a few weeks, it will be clear what percentage will be able to recover and what will ultimately perish. Then it will be possible to make a more detailed forecast regarding the final berry harvest, experts believe.
In general, experts believe that the current year, unfortunately, will again be quite difficult for producers of both stone fruits and grapes, and this applies not only to Russia, but also to Turkey, Serbia and Moldova.
