April frost destroys 90% of Quneitra's cherry crop, causing devastating losses for farmers.

The frost that hit the Quneitra Governorate during the period from April 12 to 15 caused significant damage to the cherry crop for this season. The Director of Agriculture in Quneitra, Jamal Mohammad Ali, confirmed that the damage exceeded 90 percent. He pointed out that the cherries were directly affected by the weather fluctuations, leading to their withering and a sharp decrease in production.

Ali explained that the area planted with cherries in the governorate is about 1400 hectares, while the damaged area after sensory inspection reached 1143 hectares. He clarified that current estimates indicate a production of no more than 200 tons, compared to previous estimates of around 2800 tons, showing a significant decrease in production.

The Director of Agriculture emphasized that cherry cultivation is mainly concentrated in the northern sector of the governorate, especially in the foothills of Mount Hermon in villages such as Hadar, Mazar Al-Amal, Tarnaja, Awaniya, Naba Al-Fawwar, and Al-Kawm. These areas are characterized by their cold climate, suitable soil, and abundant winter rainfall, making them an ideal environment for producing high-quality cherries.

He noted that most of the cherries grown in Quneitra are grown on trellises and marketed and exported to Damascus due to their excellent quality and high sweetness, making them a highly valuable crop for farmers. The directorate plans to establish a database for predicting temperature levels to determine frost times and address them in a timely manner to avoid recurring losses in future seasons.

Meanwhile, Quneitra farmers have requested compensation from the relevant authorities for the significant losses they have incurred, especially since the cherry season is the main source of income for a wide segment of farmers who have suffered significant financial losses after long efforts during the stages of cultivation and production.

It is worth mentioning that the price of one kilogram of cherries reached 80,000 Syrian pounds at the beginning of the season, before later dropping to around 40,000 pounds.