Exceptionally cold May – will frosts in European orchards affect apple exports?

May is typically a month of intense plant growth, but it doesn’t always bring the expected warmth. This year’s spring—particularly the month of May in Poland—has caused significant damage to orchards across many parts of Europe. But will these unfavorable weather conditions have a significant impact on apple production and exports from Europe?

Is apple export at risk?

Increasingly, Europe is experiencing mild winters followed by sudden frosts, prolonged cold spells, strong winds, heavy rainfall (or a lack thereof), and even May snowfalls. This unstable weather has taken a toll on fruit crops this year, especially in countries like Italy, Greece, Hungary, and Bulgaria—where apples, cherries, and apricots have suffered the most.

According to Poland’s Central Statistical Office, fruit trees in orchards survived the winter in good condition. However, a lack of precipitation combined with frosts in April and early May caused visible damage to blossoms and already developing fruit. Losses are evident in apple trees that bloomed in the second half of April. Frosts that followed destroyed blossoms and fruitlets. The flowers failed to produce nectar, resulting in poor pollination and the subsequent drop of immature fruit. Similar damage has also been observed in cherry and sour cherry orchards.

“The weather in April and May caused significant damage to all types of orchard crops in Poland. Cherries and sour cherries were hit the hardest. Unfortunately, the unfavorable weather also impacted our apple production, although fortunately, not all varieties were affected,” says Mirosław Maliszewski, President of the Polish Fruit Growers Association.
“European orchards are increasingly well-prepared for such challenges. For many years now, we’ve been using modern anti-frost systems—like sprinkler irrigation and orchard heating—that help minimize the impact of weather extremes. Even if there are local production losses, we do not anticipate major disruptions to apple exports,”he emphasizes. “Europe benefits from a diverse range of growing regions, and modern storage technologies allow us to maintain stable supplies throughout the year.”

Disruption risk remains low

There’s still some time before the start of the new apple harvest season, and the quality and volume of the crop will not be fully known until August or September. However, it’s already clear that not all orchards and not all apple varieties were affected by the frosts. In particular, orchards that didn’t bear fruit last season were largely spared. This is a positive sign for the upcoming season, suggesting that the risk of major disruptions to apple exports remains low.

Until the new harvest begins, demand for apples within the EU and in third-country markets will be met by fruit stored in cold storage facilities.

It’s not only the unusual May weather that presents a challenge for European orchards—the broader trend of climate change is increasingly influential. As a result, more and more fruit growers are choosing to modernize their orchards or replace them with new varieties. These include both high-yield, high-quality popular cultivars and those that are more resistant to diseases or changing climatic conditions. Modern orchard protection technologies are now widely used, enabling early intervention in response to adverse weather or emerging diseases.

All of this underscores the commitment of European growers to supplying markets like India and Vietnam with high-quality apples, known for their exceptional taste and ability to meet the expectations of even the most demanding consumers.

Strategic partnerships ensure supply chain stability

One crucial factor in ensuring the continuity and stability of apple exports is the ongoing, close collaboration with importers from India and Vietnam, as well as the flexibility of trading partners to adapt to changing market conditions. It is thanks to these strong partnerships that consumers in Vietnam and India can continue to enjoy premium European apples.