The short apple-tree blooming period, which, most likely prevented blossoms from pollination, as well as the hot and humid summer, are the reason why this year many Latvian fruit producers cannot take pride in rich apple harvest. Due to the poor harvest, the price of apples will rise by 30%.

The unfavourable weather conditions have affected fruit tree gardens throughout the Europe, including Poland; therefore, apples are among the foodstuffs with surcharged prices this year. At the present moment, the average price increase is by 30 – 40 percent compared with the previous year, reports the newspaper Latvijas Avīze.

However, despite the poor harvest season, apples from Latvian gardens will be available in stores.

The owner of SIA Pūres dārzi, Edmunds Grinbergs (Edmunds Grīnbergs) points out that «in this year, the weather conditions were more complicated than in the previous year. Due to the hot and wet summer, the cultivation expenses were higher than in 2009, as gardens had to be sprinkled against diseases and pests more frequently. Therefore, we are pleased that supermarkets do not argue with us on the purchasing price, and pay as we have asked. Our situation, compared to the previous year, is considerably better. A year ago, both Latvia and Poland had good harvest season, the supply was great, yet people’s purchasing capacity was very low due to the crisis. As a result, our income barely covered the expenses. »

In 2009, the average apple price in shops ranged from 30 to 60 santims per kilogram. This year the prices of local apples fluctuate between 60 santims to one lat per kilogram depending on the sort and quality.

The World Apple and Pear Association (WAPA) report shows that smaller harvests are expected throughout the world. The harvest forecasts, published at the end of August, indicate that, compared with 2009, apple harvest in EU countries will decrease by 11%, including Poland, where 24% large harvest drop is anticipated. Poland is the largest apple producer in EU.