Kiwifruit growers in the Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand were bracing themselves for possible damage to their production – potentially running into tens of millions of dollars – as high winds and heavy rains emanating from ex-Cyclone Pam bore down on the north of the country on Monday.
The severe tropical cyclone, which was understood to be weakening as it approached New Zealand, struck the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu at the weekend, killing at least ten people and causing widespread devastation.
Speaking to the New Zealand Herald, New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc president Neil Trebilco said the storm came at a critical time for producers just prior to harvesting, with any damage to fruit likely to make it unsuitable for export.
“It will mean things like reject rates go up so that affects profitability,” he told the newspaper. “If you lose fruit from a grower’s point of view it’s commercially not advantageous.”
The country’s recent battle with the bacterial vine disease Psa could also suffer a setback due to the storm, he indicated.
“If you get part of the vines being blown out or leaves blown off that creates a wound point in the plant and if you combine that with rain - that will enable Psa to get in,” he explained.
Zespri communications manager Oliver Broad, meanwhile, issued a written statement confirming the company was unable to market heavily damaged or bruised fruit, but nevertheless continued to anticipate a good crop with significant volume growth on the previous campaign – mainly thanks to increased output of the new yellow-fleshed variety SunGold.
“We are watching the weather with concern and certainly hope that the worst effects are avoided,” he added.
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