Hail and frosts hit apple exports

Pipfruit New Zealand (PNZ) predicts this year's crop will be down 11.9 per cent to about 18.55 million cartons on last year's, thanks largely to hail and frost damage.

PNZ chairman Ian Palmer said yesterday that regional crop assessments were being completed, with the biennial nature of some varieties and early thinning indicating a lighter crop.

However, he said the quality and size of the fruit was looking good.

Crop losses from hail damage before Christmas were expected to be up to 5 per cent (1 million cartons) of total export volumes, representing a loss of $30 million in export earnings.

Hail damage has occurred across all growing regions. Hawkes Bay - the largest region - lost 500,000 cartons, Nelson 250,000 and Wairarapa and Waikato 50,000 to 70,000. Gisborne and Central Otago reported minimal damage.

"Within regions, some growers have suffered major individual losses, with some crops completely destroyed. Considering the widespread incidence of hail this season, we have got off pretty lightly," Palmer said.

He noted that every year the industry lost some of its crop to hail and frost.

An update on the export crop and market forecast would be presented at the annual conference in Nelson at the end of the month.

- NZPA