The late frost around two weeks ago after very early flowering dashed all the hopes of Saxony's fruit growers. "We expect a loss of around 50 to 70 million euros on the areas of the state association," Udo Jentzsch, Managing Director of the Saxon Fruit Association, told the German Press Agency. These accounted for around 95 percent of the total fruit-growing area in the Free State.
Jentzsch spoke of "total loss", with the exception of strawberries, when they were covered and protected with fleece. Only 30 to 50 percent loss can be assumed there - and there is hope that there will still be a blossom. Fields for self-picking, which are remote, are also affected.
Jentzsch does not expect reliable figures on the loss until the end of May, beginning of June, when bad or damaged fruit is dropped from the trees. "There are still apples on the trees and they are still relatively firm," he said. But whether they will ripen by the end is not certain. Cherries, plums, pears and apples will also be available at most from direct marketers this year. "Even if ten percent are still hanging on, it's not worth picking them for the trade." The fruit growers would rather leave them hanging.
