Spring frosts followed by heavy summer rains have severely damaged Lithuania's fruit sector. According to the "Vaisiai ir uogos" association, the 2025 apple harvest will reach only 10–15% of average levels, while blackcurrant output will drop to just 5–10%. "There will be virtually no high-quality Lithuanian apples this year," said association head Vitalija Kulešienė.
Apple orchards account for around 75% of all fruit orchards in Lithuania, while blackcurrants occupy 40% of berry plantation areas.
For growers, this means a sharp drop in income; for consumers, prices are expected to rise by 10–20%. However, major retail chains plan to offset shortages by importing from unaffected countries. Authorities in several municipalities have declared a state of emergency, enabling farmers to apply for EU support.
SEB Bank economist Tadas Povilauskas warns that with apple yields in Lithuania down 90% and Latvia facing worse conditions, the market will rely heavily on Polish produce, where wholesale apple prices exceed €1 per kg.
The weather has also impacted vegetables. Vegetable growers are facing concerns over both quantity and quality. Lithuania produces only part of its vegetable needs and depends on imports from neighbours such as Poland and Latvia, both also hit by storms and floods.
The Ministry of Agriculture notes that fruits, berries, and vegetables occupy just 1.5% of Lithuania's farmland. Cabbage, beets, carrots, and onions dominate vegetable production. According to the Lithuanian Vegetable Growers Association, the August-September weather will be crucial for the remaining crops. Overall, both fruit and vegetable sectors expect significant losses in quantity and quality this year.
Source: www.lrt.lt
