Netherlands: Consequences of February frost in 2012 now evident in fruit crops

The winter frost in February 2012 has caused 25-30 million extra damages to fruit crops in 2013. The damage includes loss of plant stands and a reduction in harvest. The largest portion, 15-17 million, consists of harvest damage. These are the results of a survey which was conducted by the Dutch Fruit Growers Association which was held last week. The results will have an effect of the size of the Dutch apple and pear harvest in 2013.

Photo left: 5 year old Conference that didn't make it. The rootstock was fatally frozen in February 2012. Photo right: Adult Gieser Wildeman pear which has also died. The rootstock was frozen in February 2012

There are a total of 8,100 hectares of pear and 7,950 hectares of apple trees in the Netherlands. The February frost in 2012 caused damage across the entire country, especially in Flevoland, the West-Betuwe, South and North Holland were heavily affected. The damage is the worst in Flevoland and West Betuwe. The temperatures were the lowest last year in these areas. Fruit companies in these regions are coming across trees which have not survived and didn't flower this spring. There are also a lot of trees which have light leaves. Growers expect these that these trees will also die. This damage is on top of the acreages which were cleared last year due to the heavy frost.

The most affected are the Conference and close relative Beurré Alexandre Lucas pear stands. The NFO expects a 10% product loss for these varieties. The damage to apples is wider spread over various varieties.