Aomori, Japan’s largest apple-producing region, has suffered severe damage to its orchards following record-breaking snowfall in January. Authorities estimate losses could surpass 10 billion yen (US$64.8 million), raising concerns about the upcoming autumn harvest.
The city of Hirosaki, one of the worst-affected areas, recorded a historic 126cm (49.6 inches) of snow, significantly above average. The heavy accumulation has put immense strain on apple trees, causing branches to break and, in some cases, snapping trunks of trees that have stood for over half a century. The damage extends across 11 municipalities in Aomori Prefecture, which accounts for approximately 60 percent of Japan’s apple production.
Among those affected is 85-year-old farmer Yoshimoto Kudo, who cultivates around 150 apple trees across a 4,000 square meter (1 acre) orchard. He has witnessed extensive destruction, with around a quarter of his trees damaged. Some of his oldest trees, aged 50 to 60 years, have suffered irreparable harm. Despite efforts to mitigate the impact by reinforcing branches and using snow-melting agents, unplowed farm roads have made three of his five orchards inaccessible.
Authorities have responded by allocating emergency funds for aerial distribution of snow-melting agents using unmanned helicopters to prevent further tree damage. However, officials warn that continued snowfall in February could worsen the situation, making it difficult to fully assess the damage until the weather warms.
With Aomori playing a crucial role in Japan’s apple industry, the losses from this extreme weather event may have long-term economic consequences for local farmers and businesses. The focus now is on recovery efforts and finding ways to protect orchards from further damage in the face of unpredictable weather conditions.
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