Severe hail in Isarel’s eastern Galilee region has caused heavy damage to stonefruit orchards in the area surrounding Rosh Pina.

Approximately 988 acres of nectarine, peach, plum and pear orchards intended for export were affected during the freak weather, with trees in some areas completely stripped of fruit.

Israeli agriculture natural disaster fund Kanat has estimated damage at around NIS5 million (£616,000).

But Israeli produce giant Agrexco insists the hail will have only a marginal effect on stonefruit supply. “Just a few orchards were affected, and any knock-on effect will be slight,” Agrexco UK sales manager Steve Hopkins told freshinfo.

The Israeli stonefruit export season will kick off in earnest in May.

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