Françoise Roch, president of the National Federation of Fruit Producers (FNPF) and arborist in Moissac (Tarn-et-Garonne), emphasizes that an episode of frost at the end of April will inevitably have consequences on harvests, and on prices for consumers.
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“We are on alert, because we absolutely have to be able to save our crops”, affirms, on franceinfo Sunday April 21, Françoise Roch, president of the National Federation of Fruit Producers (FNPF) and arborist in Moissac, in Tarn-et-Garonne, while a large part of France is going through an episode of cold. The two coldest nights are forecast for Monday and Tuesday. “Over the next three days, we will be very vigilant”assures Françoise Roch.
On her Moissac farm, the farmer protects her trees with water “which freezes and acts like a little igloo which protects the bud or the small fruits”. According to her, “the problem of water storage is a real concern to protect against frost, because it is still the most suitable system”. Others use frost towers or light braziers in the middle of their orchard.
“An impact on the quantity of fruit”
The president of the FNPF also affirms that aid to deal with the freeze “are extremely weak” And “unsuitable” while protections cost “relatively expensive”.
“At the end of April, we are in danger for all our crops”, worries the arborist. She remembers the year 2021 and its “really very strong and global frost throughout France”. A phenomenon “extremely rare”according to her, “so there will always be regions that will not be affected”but “If there is a very heavy frost, it will have an impact on the quantity of fruit produced.”
