OREANDA-NEWS. April 10, 2013. D espite abnormal weather conditions of late March the overwhelming majority of fruit, berry and grape plantings in Ukraine remain in good and satisfactory state. This was informed by Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Mykola Prysyazhniuk.

“Weather anomalies had no significant influence on future harvest of fruit trees, patch of berries and vineyards. So, according to the information of Institute of Horticulture of National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, the overwhelming majority of fruit and berry plantings in Ukraine are in good or satisfactory condition. Existing minor damages to flower buds of apples, pears, peaches, sweet cherries, plums and cherries do not cause concerns. Besides, according to the data of Tayirov Institute (Odessa region), vineyard plantings have no significant injuring of grape buds and vines,” Mykola Prysyazhniuk emphasized.

Moreover, the head of the department informed that in Crimea there were no observed any injuring to flower buds of apple and pear trees. While injuring of sweet cherries, plums and cherries make up to 5% on general area of 0.6 thousand hectares. Generation peach buds were harmed from 5 to 15% on the area of 0.5 thousand hectares that will not have a significant impact o the forecast volume of yield. The biggest harm was caused by frosts in certain areas of north and Crimea to apricots which can reduce the future yield in the mentioned regions up to 20%.

At the same time, the Minister emphasized that thus far injuring of fruit buds can be considered as natural thinning out which will contribute to forming of more qualitative harvest. Mykola Prysyazhniuk emphasized that this year on condition of favorable weather conditions Ukrainians will receive sufficient amount of domestic fruit and berries. Besides, leader of the department emphasized that March cold had not caused harm to Ukrainian vineyards. 

“Winter of 2012/2013 has been favorable for growth and wintering of grape vineyards in all 5 regions engaged in viticulture. We had no problems with frost. That’s why we expect for high harvest of grapes of technical and table varieties in all vineyard regions of Ukraine,” Mykola Prysyazhniuk underlined.