Failed peach harvest in Belgium for third year in a row

Tholen - Once again, the peach harvest of Ludo Rosseels, one of the last Belgian peach growers, was hit by frost and the rain came over it again. "The harvest is almost completely lost. I estimate that the yield is only 10 percent of what it should be," says Ludo. The peaches flower up to a month earlier than apples and pears, which makes them extra vulnerable to frost. "It was -12 at the beginning of February and it was very cold and wet in April and May, so the flowers were not weaned," says Ludo. In total 3.5 hectares of peaches have been lost. Ludo Rosseels, one of the last peach growers in Belgium Tasty peaches This is the third year in a row that the peach harvest has been disappointing. "Fortunately, this isn't the only thing I depend on," says Ludo. "The plums are fortunately a lot better." Back in the 1950s there were more peach growers, but now Ludo is the only one of its kind as far as he knows. He sells the peaches that Rosseels harvests at a stand near the orchard. ...