Fruit-Growing in Latvia – Industry and Science

Urban Farm DB summary

This article traces the historical development of fruit-growing in Latvia, from fruit trees gaining market value after 19th-century land ownership reform, through rapid expansion during the first independent republic (1919-1940), imported planting material from Western Europe, massive orchard losses from unsuitable cultivar and rootstock choices during severe winters, Soviet-era support for large 200-300 ha orchards unsuited to Latvian climate and terrain after World War II, the rapid increase of allotment gardens whose produce was also sold on the market, and the renewed interest in fresh fruit and berry production for market and processing after independence was regained. It states that development of the fruit industry is currently hindered by a shortage of qualified specialists preventing an adequate consulting system, slow development of grower cooperation for marketing, insufficient economic and market research to balance demand with planting area, and a lack of continuous long-term support for horticultural science. Outcomes credited to the Institute of Horticulture include new locally bred fruit cultivars recommended for commercial orchards, regional variety and growing-technology trials, monitoring of harmful and beneficial organisms with a prognosis and control system, and dissemination of research results.