Millions in damage caused by frost and hail in wine and fruit growing areas

Millions in damage caused by frost and hail in wine and fruit growing areas

In recent weeks, hail and frost have caused significant damage in Germany's wine and fruit-growing regions. The insurance company “United Hagel” estimates the total damage to be more than 500 million euros. There was frost damage of varying degrees in all growing areas of the country, which led to total losses locally. The use of frost protection candles in the vines was not very effective due to the cold air at a height of two meters, as the ground frost did not occur alone.

By mid-April, most orchards in Germany were already in full bloom, which was around ten to 14 days earlier than usual. During these stages of development, the flowers and fruits are particularly susceptible to frost damage. The eastern federal states and Rheinhessen were particularly badly affected by the damage.

The damage caused by hail and frost not only has an economic impact on agricultural operations, but can also have a long-term impact on crop yields and farmers' livelihoods. The consequences of the natural disaster represent a major challenge for the affected regions and may require government support and relief measures to support farmers in this difficult situation.