New Zealand’s kiwifruit production has been significantly reduced as a result of the drought, according to the managing director of a kiwifruit packing company.
Alan Dawson of Aongatete Coolstores, one of the first operators to commence packing this season, has stated that the company expects to pack just under 3m trays this year.This figure is down from 3.2m trays in 2012 and 3.5m in 2011.
While Psa vine disease is partially responsible for this decline, the unanticipated drought has brought the harvest down further. It has also resulted in a decrease in the size of the fruit.
“The biggest factor that we hadn't budgeted in is the drought and the smaller fruit size,” said Dawson. “The effect of the drought has meant that most growers' fruit sizes are smaller than we would have hoped for and that has an effect on the total volume as well.”
This report has been confirmed by other growers, who are positive about the quality of their produce but similarly disappointed by drought’s impact on the yield and fruit size.
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