Cherry industry loses estimated 50 per cent of stock to heavy rain
12 Jan, 2021 07:22 PM
3 minutes to read
It is expected up to 50 per cent of the season s cherries had been lost due to splitting Photo / NZH
It is expected up to 50 per cent of the season s cherries had been lost due to splitting Photo / NZH
Otago Daily Times
The $50 million loss incurred by Central Otago s cherry growers this season impacts growers, jobs and the New Zealand economy.
Summerfruit NZ chief executive Richard Palmer said the full extent of the damage after four days of persistent and heavy rain was yet to be quantified but it was expected up to 50 per cent of the season s cherries had been lost due to splitting, resulting in the loss of $50 million in export revenue to the country.
Central Otago cherry growers have been dealt another blow this season with heavy rain just after New Year causing major damage to fruit about to be harvested.
Although the full extent of the…
Otago growers counting costs of cherry crops ruined by downpours
11 Jan, 2021 12:00 AM
4 minutes to read
Heavy rain over New Year s created cherries so juicy that many of them burst.
Cherry growers believe about half of the crop has been affected, making them no longer fit for export.
Summerfruit New Zealand chief executive Richard Palmer said Central Otago was affected by the rain.
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However, production in the Hawke s Bay was not affected and the crop has been very good this season, great for domestic consumers, fantastic tasting fruit on the marketplace .
But the crop that had gone bad came at a huge cost, not just for the growers, but packers and seasonal staff who would not have as much work, he said.