The fruit harvest in Victoria, Australia has been halted in full swing due to unseasonally cold and wet conditions.

However, the cold weather will be helping early Gala apples to improve colour, the industry reported, but impacts of cold and rain upon stone fruit will cause crop and quality loss for varieties approaching maturity.

Strong winds have resulted in heavy loaded limbs falling, with a crop loss to pears, apples and peaches of around 5 per cent each.

A decision on harvesting Packham pears has been deferred, following sampling by the Pear Maturity Committee, as the results showed the average size of fruit is not advanced. Further tests will be held later.

While sugar levels are acceptable, pressure testing showed average size pears to be too firm and well above harvest and storage needs. Average fruit size is also marginal.

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