Heavy frost over three consecutive nights in early April has severely damaged vineyards, fruit orchards, and vegetable crops across Kosovo. Farmers in Rahovec, one of the country’s main grape-growing regions, report near-total crop loss due to subzero temperatures, with some expecting “zero production” this year.
🌱 Habib Dina, a vineyard owner, says he’s lost up to €6,000 per hectare. The damage extends far beyond grapes — processors, winemakers, and families dependent on the agricultural chain are facing serious consequences.
🥀 Fruit growers have been equally affected. In eastern Kosovo, Naim Huruglica says his cherry and pear trees suffered 100% damage. “We’ve lost everything,” he told local media.
🥶 Temperatures dropped to -5°C in many areas just as trees and plants had begun budding due to a warm March, making them particularly vulnerable. Even greenhouses weren’t immune — although some, like Muharrem Hoti, managed to save seedlings with protective covers and fires inside the tunnels.
📉 Agricultural experts and associations now warn of:
- A sharp drop in domestic production
- Increased dependence on imports
- Significant rise in prices for fruits, vegetables, wine, and grape-based products
💬 Hartim Gashi, director of the PePeKo association, said:
“The more we depend on imports, the more prices will rise. It’s a chain reaction that hits consumers and producers alike.”
📊 The Kosovo Agency of Statistics already reported a 5.5% year-on-year increase in fruit and vegetable prices in February — and the worst may yet be to come.
Authorities are currently assessing damage and may consider compensation plans, but no official measures have been announced by the Ministry of Agriculture so far.
