New Zealand avocado industry rallies around growers hit by significant weather event
The New Zealand avocado industry is evaluating the extent of the damage caused by an extreme wind event in the Western Bay of Plenty in September.
NZ Avocado CEO Brad Siebert said it was some of the worst conditions growers in the region had seen in decades. While the full extent of the damage is being assessed, he said growers expect to see some fruit loss and some fruit downgraded from export classes.
“Some orchards in the Western Bay of Plenty lost up to 80 per cent of their crop with many growers reporting the worst wind damage in 20 years. Each orchard in the affected area was impacted differently, so the total numbers of fruit losses are still being quantified,” said Siebert.
The Bay of Plenty is one of New Zealand’s major growing regions, but fortunately, the damage was localised.
“While the entire Bay of Plenty produces approximately 50 per cent of New Zealand’s total avocado crop, the impacted areas of the Western Bay of Plenty normally represent around 30 per cent of national production. However, with individual orchards affected differently, localised fruit losses in the context of the national crop are yet to be fully quantified,” said Siebert.
“Many regions across New Zealand experienced strong winds, yet other key avocado growing regions did not suffer the extreme winds felt in the Western Bay of Plenty.”
The New Zealand avocado industry and the wider community have come together to support the affected growers in the wake of the damage.
“The whole supply chain has rallied in support of the affected growers, from post-harvest operators to exporters to the wider community. Fruit collection for charity and central government support for recovery and advice is ongoing,” said Siebert.
“The Rural Support Trust has provided significant support services, Horticulture NZ has helped coordinate efforts, and the NZ Fruit Growers Charitable Trust has contributed funding to provide growers recovery advice. The NZ Avocado Growers Association has instigated and helped organise all these arrangements to ensure a coordinated response and a longer-term programme of support.”
