In a devastating blow to Czech agriculture, fruit production plummeted by 65% last year, dropping from a five-year average of 138,445 tons to just 48,058 tons – marking the lowest harvest in recorded history. The dramatic decline, announced at the traditional Fruit Growing Days fair in Hradec Králové, has sent shockwaves through the industry.
Martin Ludvík, Chairman of the Fruit Growers Union, explained that a severe frost wave in late April, combined with an unusually mild winter, caught vegetation a month ahead of schedule. The resulting damage cost growers approximately 70% of their revenue, amounting to roughly 1.3-1.4 billion crowns. The Czech Republic emerged as Europe’s most affected region in this agricultural crisis.
Relief came through successful negotiations with the European Union, as Czech growers, alongside counterparts from Germany, Austria, and Poland, secured compensation funds. Czech fruit growers received approximately 378 million crowns from the EU, with an additional 68 million from the state budget. This aid package, covering about 30% of lost revenues, has become a lifeline for the industry’s survival and preparation for the upcoming season.
Despite the catastrophic harvest, consumers won’t face empty apple shelves, though they’ll notice a shift from domestic to imported produce. Current apple storage levels stand at 14,000 tons, dramatically down from the usual 50,000 tons. However, prices aren’t expected to skyrocket, as European apple supplies are only down by 10% overall.
Looking ahead, the industry faces structural challenges beyond weather-related setbacks. Orchard areas have shrunk from 18,000 hectares a decade ago to just 10,500 hectares today. While annual replanting has decreased from 400 hectares to 150 hectares, industry leaders remain cautiously optimistic about future recovery.