Czech fruit orchards are rapidly disappearing, leading to increased reliance on imports, particularly Polish apples which now account for roughly one in three apples sold in Czech stores. Over the past eight years, approximately 7,000 hectares of orchards – equivalent to ten thousand football pitches – have been lost. This decline represents a significant reduction from 16,500 hectares in 2017 to a projected 10,000 hectares in 2025. Experts express surprise at the speed of this trend, signaling a potential crisis for domestic fruit production. The shrinking orchard area raises concerns about the future of the Czech fruit-growing industry and its ability to meet local demand. This shift highlights a broader challenge for Czech agriculture in maintaining self-sufficiency. The reasons for the decline are not detailed in the provided text.