The cold weather at the end of April caused a lot of trouble for fruit farmers. Temperatures below freezing seriously damaged the crops, especially the cherry trees, stated the Swiss Fruit Association (SOV).
A month after the devastating frost, the total damage can be estimated. For cherries, the figures are shocking, and other seriously affected crops are apricots and plums. These damages present a challenge for the entire industry.
The first small amounts of Swiss cherries are now being harvested in Vaud, the most western Canton of Switzerland, and will be followed by the canton of Valais. The other regions will follow with the harvest of early varieties. Producers expect the main harvest at the end of June.
Cherry harvest only a quarter of a normal harvest
Based on the first estimates, from the end of May, the SOV expects a catastrophic cherry harvest of only 809 metric tons. The expected yield can be divided in 359 metric tons of 28+ cherries (40 %), 376 metric tons of 24+ cherries (50 %) and 74 metric tons of 21+ cherries (10 %). The estimated harvest of 2017 corresponds with 25% of a normal harvest. The financial loss amounts to 20.5 million Swiss Francs (about 21 USD).
Major regional differences
Overall, the yield losses greatly vary per region. In Valais about 10 to 20% of the apples are damaged, while in central Switzerland about 80% of the apples are damaged. The SOV calculated a total loss of 35% of apples and pears. After the summer fruit drop, at the end of June, a more detailed estimate can be provided. The total loss is estimated at 38.3 million Swiss Francs (39.4 million USD).
Strawberry supply nearly sufficient for whole of Switzerland
The frost mainly damaged soft fruit grown in the open field, this is in contrast to fruit grown in tunnels. The harvest of Swiss strawberries is running at full speed and the producers can almost completely satisfy the customers’ demands with Swiss strawberries.
The yield loss is estimated at 12.3 million Swiss Francs. It is too early for an accurate estimate of other varieties of soft fruit. The exact numbers are available from mid June. Currently, a loss of 6.3 million Swiss Francs is expected.
Tremendous losses on the mountain slopes
The apricot yield is down to 50%. While in the valleys of Valais the harvest barely suffered any frost damage, the expected losses in the orchards on the mountain slopes is estimated between 80% to 100%. The financial loss corresponds to 14.8 million Swiss Francs.
The yield of plums cannot conclusively be estimated. The exact figures will be available mid July. However, a loss of 6.3 million Swiss Francs is expected.
