Zespri has received 69 notifications of damage from New Zealand kiwifruit orchards following significant hailstorms in the Nelson and Bay of Plenty growing regions last week.
However, the single-desk marketer’s supply chain general manager, Sally Gardiner, said supply volumes would not be significantly impacted, with total losses expected to be less than 1 per cent of the national crop volume.
“Preliminary inspections have revealed that around 50 of the 69 notifying orchards suffered leaf damage but without significant loss of fruitlets or buds – so, while there are some impacts, those orchards should be able to deliver a good marketable crop for 2015,” Gardiner told Asiafruit. “The remaining 19 orchards have suffered varying amount of loss ranging from moderate to severe. A portion of these orchards will be considered a total loss.”
Zespri operates a hail insurance scheme that automatically covers all Zespri kiwifruit destined for export. All claims under the Zespri insurance scheme are assessed by an independent loss assessor.
Post harvest operator Seeka Kiwifruit Industries has also offered support to affected kiwifruit and avocado growers in the Bay of Plenty area. Seeka estimates around 35 ha of orchards that supply its packhouses suffered significant damage, with another 50-to-75ha were less affected.
“We understand that growers are vulnerable to extreme weather events and will be making all the necessary resources available to help them through this,” Seeka chief executive Michael Franks said.
