This year's apple harvest in Estonia has been affected by cold spring conditions and a rainy summer. The islands have recorded a poor crop, while in Southeast Estonia, yields are closer to average. Differences have also been reported between varieties grown in the same location, with some producing marketable fruit while others are unsuitable for sale.
Riho Kadastik, owner of an orchard on Saaremaa, said part of the harvest is still attached to the trees, making it difficult to assess the final outcome. "In fact, there are apples, but they have not kept well on the tree, and how they will keep in storage is unknown. Just as it was unknown in spring when they blossomed, but many did not pollinate as the weather stayed cold for a long time," he explained. He added that quality differences between varieties are large, with some producing high-quality apples and others yielding fruit "barely edible and not suitable for sale at all."
In Southeast Estonia, Lauri Kasvand of Halika apple farm in Räpina municipality said the harvest is about average despite challenges. "The rain damage was very severe for us. Here in Southeast Estonia, in May and June, we got several years' worth of rainfall, and the flooding was so bad that there was nowhere left to drain the water, not even into the ditches. I haven't made a thorough assessment yet, but we've lost about a hundred trees completely due to water damage," he said. Kasvand noted that stressed trees produced smaller fruit, adding that "weather damage is becoming a more and more relevant issue, one that cannot be avoided in any year, anymore. It's just that every year it's different: Last year it was rain, hail, and drought, this year it's flooding and cold weather."
On Hiiumaa, grower Triinu Schneider reported almost no produce this year. Kasvand noted that while last year Southeast Estonia had a poor crop, this year some apples are available. Disease and insect pressure in the cool and wet weather have reduced quality, leaving only a small share of visually appealing table apples. "Apples of poorer quality can still be found, and there are enough of those to make apple juice or jam, or simply peel and eat," Kasvand said.
Alvar Roosimaa of the Jaanihanso cider house said apples are harder to source this year, with fewer growers selling fruit. "There are fewer people who want to sell apples, while from the big producers, we haven't even heard anyone offering juice apples this year. I hope it won't affect our production," he said. Jaanihanso requires about 50,000 liters of fresh apple juice for production, though Roosimaa noted the scale of their operations allows some flexibility.
Source: ERR