NZ New Zealand apples

Hail on Sunday in New Zealand’s southern apple production hub Nelson has not caused significant damage to the nation’s apple and pear crop, despite reports suggesting otherwise in the country’s media.

The 20 minute hailstorm on Sunday afternoon caused limited damage to two orchards in the area, according to Peter Beaven of Pipfruit New Zealand.

“It was minimal,” he told Fruitnet.com. “There was no impact on the New Zealand apple crop.”

Nelson growers are roughly halfway through picking their Royal Gala crops.