The cold weather in April could lead to a shortage of British fruit, such as apples, pears and plums, farmers have said.
A senior member of the National Farmers' Union (NFU) who grows her own apples has said last month's cold snap damaged many growers' fruit at a crucial point in development.
Alison Capper, chairman of the National Farmers’ Union horticulture board, who grows in Worcestershire, told the Guardian that fruit farmers were playing a waiting game after last month’s Arctic blast damaged fruit blossom at a crucial stage of development.
Miss Capper told the paper: “There’s damage to both top and stone fruit, which includes apples, pears, plums and cherries,” she said.
“But it’s difficult to know what this means until we see the fruit sets, which is the point when it becomes clear how much fruit has stayed on the trees. However, I think there is enough evidence there will be less English fruit this year.”
'Dangerous'
NFU's chief horticulture adviser Hayley Campbell-Gibbons said a severe frost could be 'dangerous' for UK fruit production.
She said: “Soft fruit production is protected by polytunnels, which can handle frosts of up to minus two degrees, but a severe frost would still be dangerous, and the cooler than average temperatures will certainly slow down production.
“The biggest concern is outdoor fruit production – such as apple and pear orchards, and blackcurrants. Production is ahead of schedule in many parts of the country, which means trees are in full flower and very vulnerable to night frosts.
“A severe frost could significantly impact British fruit production.”
