Chokeberry crisis: Early harvests, shrinking yields concern farmers

They look pretty unassuming, but these small fruits hide many vitamins and nutrients. In the past, families would return from harvests with buckets full of fruits. The bushes are often empty today, but not due to high demand.

In grandma's pantries, chokeberry juice was essential, often serving as a homemade remedy for autumn colds and weakened immune systems. Although chokeberry juice is tasty and healthy, it has somewhat lost its popularity. We much prefer blueberries or blackberries due to their more accessible taste. Chokeberry fruits are quite tart, but after drying or turning them into juices and preserves, they quickly win hearts. Their taste and health benefits are on par with those of other forest fruits.

Typically, the chokeberry season starts only now, but this year it began earlier. However, this does not mean that we will be coming home with full baskets.

Chokeberry is a treasure trove of vitamins that positively affect health. It is especially rich in vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system and helps fight infections. It also contains vitamin K, which is important for proper blood clotting and healthy bones. Moreover, chokeberry provides vitamin A, essential for eye and skin health, and B vitamins, which support energy metabolism and proper nervous system functioning.

Chokeberry helps reduce inflammation in the body, which can be helpful for many conditions, from joint diseases to skin ailments. The anthocyanins it contains may positively affect memory and concentration.

People with hypertension should consume it, as it benefits the circulatory system and may lower blood pressure. It is also a valuable addition to the diet of those caring for heart health, as it contains antioxidants that protect against free radicals.

This year's chokeberry harvest surprised farmers with its earliness. By mid-August, the fruits could already be picked, a result of increasingly warm springs and changes in plants' vegetative cycles.

May frosts seriously damaged this year's chokeberry crops in Poland. Farmers, such as those in North Ostrów, lost even half of their yields.

Farmers face a difficult choice: harvest the chokeberry and sell it at a reduced price, or leave the fruits on the bushes, incurring losses. Unfortunately, for many, the first option is currently unprofitable. If we do not change this situation, we may say goodbye to Polish chokeberry.