One of the main packhouses in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand's major apple and pear growing region was destroyed by fire on Saturday.

All 110 staff escaped injury in the blaze at the facility in Hastings, but the loss of packing capacity has left the country's top-fruit industry with a hole to fill at a crucial time. Pipfruit Growers Association Chairman, Ian Palmer expects the export community to rally round.

Palmer said other packhouses have offered to take up the load and that the industry will be able to maintain export demands, as the number of apples lost is minimal.

The 100 affected packers will also be re-employed elsewhere, and Plamer added that should capacity become stretched, other packers will rise to the challenge.

The cause of the fire is being investigated.