The kiwifruit industry in New Zealand is bracing itself for an untimely cold snap.
"There have been predications of early autumn frosts and the industry is
taking all the usual precautionary methods to ensure the effect on crops is minimised," said Peter Luxton, general manager of global marketing at exporter Zespri International. "As yet we have had no frosts and it is anyones guess when they might arrive. Picking has begun and we are expecting a bumper crop this year."
The debate over the last few years in the New Zealand industry has focused on whether growers should rely on insurance or prevention.
"The industry has decided prevention is a more appropriate response and growers on orchards in frost- prone areas have frost protection plans in place," said Luxton. "The plans include the use of helicopters, sprinkler based systems and wind turbines. Some packhouses also look to pick and pack the fruit in frost prone areas earlier."
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