The South Korean Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) has warned fruit growers to prepare for spring frosts during the flowering period, highlighting the vulnerability of fruit crops such as apples, pears, and peaches. The ministry convened an emergency inspection in early April after forecasts indicated that a mass of cold air could cause frost and ice formation in inland production regions, with significant day-to-night temperature variations increasing the risk of crop damage. Authorities emphasized the need for preventive measures in orchards, including checking heating systems and monitoring conditions on the ground to protect flowers during the sensitive flowering phase. Officials stressed that timely preparation and good farm management are essential to reduce potential production losses, particularly when fruit trees enter the early growth phases, where exposure to low temperatures can directly affect fruit yield and quality. This alert is part of broader seasonal risk management efforts aimed at preserving horticultural production during the spring flowering period, where sudden drops in temperature pose a recurring threat to fruit production. source: mafra.go.kr photo: wikipedia.org