increase font size
Apple and Pears NZ estimates the overall New Zealand crop will now be down 21% on the original January crop estimate. Photo Credit: Paul Sutherland
Cyclone Gabrielle has had a major impact on the country's forecast apple harvest for the coming season.
Apple and Pears NZ has re-estimated the nation's pipfruit crop after Cyclone Gabrielle cut a swathe through many parts of the East Coast of the North Island's pipfruit growing region.
Apple and Pears NZ chair Richard Punter says the overall New Zealand crop is estimated to be down 21% on the original January crop estimate - resulting in a volume of 16.1 million TCEs (tray carton equivalent). This does not include the Tairāwhiti Gisborne crop re-estimates, which are yet to be completed.
Punter says both Central Otago and Nelson/Tasman have experienced good growing and harvest conditions and are on track to meet forecast crop expectations.
However, Punter warns that on the East Coast, there is a clear distinction between blocks that have been significantly and severely affected by the storm, and blocks that are untouched.
"For unaffected blocks, the remaining crop harvest is well underway, and conditions for the remaining harvest period look good," he says.
"However, as a result of the storm, the Hawke's Bay pipfruit crop is down by 33%. This represents a reduction of 4.3 million TCEs in the Hawke's Bay region."
Punter says these estimated crop reductions are across the range of varieties grown in the region;.
"While the overall New Zealand crop is down, exporters will provide a premium product to the market by ensuring only the best quality apples and pears are placed in the carton, as they do every year," Punter concludes.
If there was a silver lining in the tragedy that was Cyclone Gabrielle, for New Zealand Young Grower of the Year, Grace Fulford, it was the tremendous sense of community and seeing first-hand what good leadership looks like.
Listed carpet manufacturer, Bremworth is undertaking a $6 million expansion at its Napier plant more than two years after the site was heavily damaged by Cyclone Gabrielle.
The CEO of Apples and Pears NZ, Karen Morrish, says the strategic focus of her organisation is to improve grower returns.
The 2024-25 season apple harvest has “well and truly exceeded expectations”, says Apples and Pears NZ chief executive Karen Morrish.
The road between Napier and Wairoa is on the mend.
OPINION: As negotiations advance on the India-New Zealand FTA, it’s important to remember the joint commitment made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at the beginning of this process in March: for a balanced, ambitious, comprehensive, and mutually beneficial agreement.
Minister for Universities, Shane Reti, has opened the final new build in a ten plus year project to upgrade the veterinary facilities at Massey University.
As New Zealand experiences more frequent and severe flooding events, the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (IFSO Scheme) is urging consumers to be honest and accurate when making insurance claims for flood damage.
A recently held arable field day in the Manawatu brought with it a timely reminder to be on the lookout for velvetleaf incursions.
In a significant shift for employers, wage theft is no longer only a civil matter but now also a criminal one.
In partnership with Growing Future Farmers (GFF), Fonterra says it is increasing support for young people entering the dairy industry with a new two-year programme.
OPINION: Every time politicians come up with an investment scheme where they're going to have a crack at 'picking winners'…
OPINION: What are the unions for these days?
