While Hawke's Bay apple orchards copped significant damage from Cyclone Gabrielle, the lack of apples is to do with the end of the season.
Northlanders struggling to find apples in supermarkets, local shops and markets can be reassured there isn’t an apple shortage, even though there is definitely “a bit of a lull”.
Residents and local shops have reported a distinct lack of apples over the past month and Rose, Royal Gala, Granny Smiths and Simply Reds are out of stock at some New World and Countdown supermarkets online.
A Paihia Four Square employee said they were out of stock all last week, but on Friday they managed to secure one box.
The box of Eve apples was selling at $6.99 a kg, but “I imagine it won’t last long”, the staff member said.
“It might be getting to the very end, but come mid-February they’ll be replenished.”
Neither Woolworths, formerly Countdown, nor Foodstuffs, which owns New World and Pak‘nSave, commented directly on whether the lack of apples was caused by knock-on effects of the cyclone.
A Woolworths spokeswoman said: “Stock is influenced by the apple harvest season ending nationwide.”
A Foodstuffs spokeswoman said: “New-season Royal Gala apples start in a couple of weeks out of Gisborne.”
Jenny Ling is a news reporter and features writer for the Northern Advocate. She has a special interest in covering health, roading, lifestyle, business and animal welfare issues.