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40.000 hectares of sugar beet sown in France
Heavy night frost in France has meant that many beet fields have to be oversown. The damage is greatest to the south and north of Paris. In total, it concerns 40.000 hectares, but there are still a few cold nights to come. The damage to crops is also considerable further south.
Fruit growers with apples, pears, cherries, apricots and grapes, just like the beet growers, are holding their breath. The damage in their orchards is enormous. Especially in southeastern France. In the generally warm Bordeaux region, the mercury also dropped to -4 degrees at night. In addition to orchards, vegetable plots are affected by this, including early potatoes. This is reported by French media.
Big disaster
Most companies are not insured against frost damage (about 80%), making it an economic disaster for these companies. The hope is that the government will step in to support the companies. Those options are there, but an emergency fund doesn't have enough money to cover the full loss. Due to extremely warm weather at the end of March, all fruit trees had already sprouted considerably. At the beginning of April it suddenly started freezing and that is precisely what causes enormous damage.
In the arable areas around Paris, there is mainly frost damage to sugar beet fields. They were sown early under favorable conditions, so that they were just in a sensitive stage when the frost set in last week. Damage caused by night frost is discussed in at least 5 departments. In total, this concerns at least 40.000 hectares, reports the French beet institute ITB. That is 10% of the national acreage.
Seed without neonics
To oversow such a large area, a lot of seed is needed. The beet processors have now gathered this, Cristal Union said. This seed has not been treated with neonicotinoids. The French derogation does not allow double sowing with treated seed. The beet processor hopes that growers will have received new seed by the end of this week. The costs for this are paid by the cooperative. The area to be sown is approximately 15.000 hectares at the processor.
Sugar producer Tereos is also suffering from frost damage. Tereos is calling on growers who have leftover seed to hand it in so that it can be distributed to affected beet growers. The supply of seed is limited because not all varieties are in stock anymore.
Little damage in the Netherlands
In our country, it is not so bad for frost damage to beets and other seedlings. Fruit growers are meanwhile busy to protect their orchards by irrigating. Here and there there is evidence of plant loss in beets, but there is no question of serious damage. In many places the beets have been in the ground for 2 weeks and they are not yet on top. The 1.000 hectares that were sown at the beginning of March are most at risk. Because winter precipitation and rain also fell, the soil is sufficiently moist, which reduces the risk of frost damage.
Niels van der Boom
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