Spring frost causes more than 50 million euros worth of damage

Low temperatures of minus 6 degrees Celsius caused severe frost damage in agriculture in the early hours of April 21, 2017, mainly in Styria, Carinthia, Southern Burgenland and in some parts of Lower Austria and Upper Austria. "It was fruit and wine crops which were damaged the worst by the frost, but also other crops such as tree nurseries and asparagus. A total of more than 12,000 hectares of land have been affected. After initial checks we assume a total loss of more than 50 million euros, however the full extent of the damage is yet to be determined," says Dr Kurt Weinberger, Chairman of the Austrian Hail Insurance Board [Österreichischen Hagelversicherung], in a first interim report.

Frost-covered apple blossoms

The fact is that the vegetation period is beginning to start sooner than usual due to climate change, and the young shoots and plants are becoming increasingly sensitive to spring frost.

Frost-covered apple orchard

For more information:
Österreichische Hagelversicherung
Tel: +43 1 403 16 81 42
Email: m.winkler@hagel.at