KIEV, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine's horticulture farmers may lose at least 29 percent of this year's harvest as the recent cold snap has caused damage to the blossoms, the country's Agriculture Ministry said in a statement on Monday.
The ministry estimated that Ukrainian gardeners will reap the fruit and berry crop harvest of 1.76 million tons this year compared with about 2.47 million tons predicted earlier.
The apricots, peaches and sweet cherries were affected by the freezing temperatures the most, with projected crop losses of 52.9 percent, 47.4 percent and 38.6 percent respectively, the ministry said.
The unfavourable weather will also reduce the size of apple, pear and plum harvests, as well as those of grape and other berries, it said.
The cold front swept across several regions in central, eastern and southern Ukraine in late April and early May, with temperatures dropping below zero at night. In some areas, the freezing temperatures were accompanied by gusty winds.
