Romanian vegetables and fruits could become 20% more expensive this year, producers say.
The reason for this is the lack of rainfall and the high temperatures in winter, which are taking a toll on the crops and allowing pests to survive unharmed, as these entail additional expenses in irrigation and phytosanitary treatments.
In many regions it has not rained since autumn. The only source of water for agricultural crops remains the moisture in the air, say the producers.
The high temperatures create favorable conditions for the appearance of pests, say the producers, and the dry weather is forcing them to irrigate more.
Last year, the price of potatoes already increased by 24%, and that of fresh fruits grew by over 18%, according to official statistics.
The year 2019 was the second warmest year on record, according to the World Meteorological Organization, and specialists predict that the high temperatures will lead to more extreme conditions.
Source: antena3.ro
