Pear production was considerably smaller
The different crops were intensely affected by the winds and hailstorm that took place in January.
The storm, which affected all the crops, caused losses which in many cases turned out to be total.
The DIEA indicated that as a result of the weather conditions the production of the affected areas had significant quality issues.
The report added that the producers who were affected had been granted subsidies equivalent to 50% of he production costs to partially offset their losses.
Apple production over an area of 3,268 hectares was estimated at 45,626 tons, 10% below the previous harvest; the lowest on record since 1994.
The average yield was set at 15 kilos per plant and an average production of 15 tonnes per hectare. 468 tonnes were exported.
148,000 plants had total crop losses.
Regarding peaches, the storm affected part of the season's harvest and the entire crop of late plantings.
The production amounted to 16,800 tonnes, 20% less than the previous year, resulting in an average yield of 14 kilos per plant.
The biggest losses caused by the climatic phenomenon took place in the pear plantations.
The production was estimated at 8,749 tons, almost 50% less than in the previous year. This was reflected in the yield, which dropped from 28 kilos/plant in the previous harvest to 15 kilos/plant in the current harvest.
The remaining three species - plum, quince and nectarine-were affected by January's storm in different degrees and, all together, had a 30% loss.
The most affected species was the plum, with total losses of 13% of plants in their productive age.
Fresh consumption
The production of deciduous fruit is intended primarily for fresh consumption; the exception is the Quince that is mainly for the industry that also processes apples (it buys 10,396 tonnes, almost 23% of total production).
Source: Elobservador.com.uy
