For a week now, fruit growers have been on the alert for the return of sub-zero temperatures. Spraying, candles, towers: all means are being used to try and protect apricot trees in full bloom. Temperatures as low as -5 degrees were recorded in the Rhone Valley on March 15th and 16th. Such a drop in temperature had not been anticipated by the weather services. Here is an update from the producers' association Peaches and Apricots of France.
"Damage on a fairly limited scale"
"On the whole, the damage remains fairly limited and is confined to specific areas," explains Raphaël Martinez, director of the producers' association. The phenomenon has affected the south of the Rhone valley more than the north. "We are not alarmed, as the effects seem to be very limited for the moment. We are waiting to see what impact the weather conditions will have over the coming weeks."
© AOP Pêches et Abricots de France - photo d'archive
Rain is more problematic
"We are more concerned about the poor weather conditions that accompany flowering, and we are not immune to a physiological drop due to rain," explains Raphaël Martinez. "As far as frost is concerned, it is less serious at the flower stage than at the fruit stage. All in all, we will have to wait another 3 weeks to know whether the fruit will hold."
Baronnies apricot is always the first to be affected.
Interviewed on March 18th, Franck Bec, president of the Baronnies Apricot Association, estimates that there will be a 50% loss of blossoms, and expects production to reach 3,000 tons this year. The area south of Valence was badly hit, with one grower estimating to have lost 80% of his future crop. Affected for the 7th year running, "because of their geographical location, the Baronnies apricots are always the first to be affected," according to Raphaël Martinez.
Beware of late frost
But March is not the only critical period. April can also bring its share of surprises. "It is no coincidence that medFEL takes place in April." Yet, every year during the harvest forecast, the organizations warn of possible late frosts. "We are waiting to see what impact the weather conditions will have because it is still too early for the moment to make any predictions."
For more information:
Raphaël Martinez
Peaches and Apricots of France
Phone: +33 (0) 6 09 98 38 09
direction@aop-pechesabricots-france.com