Australia: Effects of cyclones on hort industry could last years
Avocado and kiwifruit growers are cleaning up after bearing the brunt of the two extreme weather events which tore trees from the ground and flooded orchards throughout the Bay this month.
NZ Avocado chief executive Jen Scoular said the industry had experienced its biggest ever season for both volume and value with 7 million trays of avocados grown, harvested, packed, marketed and exported. However Cyclone Cook, as well as the aftermath of Cyclone Debbie, had impacted New Zealand avocado growers "significantly".
"The extent of the damage varies across the region, but has been made worse due to the significant amount of rain that had fallen in the three weeks prior to Cyclone Cook hitting."
New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated chief executive Nikki Johnson said there had been a "small handful" of flooded orchards in and around the Edgecumbe area after Cyclone Debbie but Cyclone Cook had not made much of an impact.
"The small number of orchards which have had their fruit touched by floodwaters or dropped by wind will not be harvested due to food safety reasons. However, it is hoped the majority of fruit on affected orchards will be able to be harvested."
Ms Johnson said it would be some time before the extent of long term damage to kiwifruit plants from flooding in this area would be known.
source: nzherald.co.nz