January’s unusually cold air, the “winter frost” as it is described in Israel, had a devastating impact for farmers. Officials estimate the loss in crops at NIS 650 million, not a small sum, explaining that about 160 dunam (40 acres) of potatoes and peppers alone were destroyed by the harsh frost conditions.

Agriculture experts seeking to explain the extent of the loss stated on Tuesday that damage to crops was 400% higher than was seen in the past five years combined.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)