Apple growers in the area around Nelson on New Zealand's South Island are reportedly counting the cost of what have been described as some of the worst hailstorms in recent years.
Reports in the local press indicated the storms caused significant damage to orchards in Mahana at the end of last week, wiping out all of the fruit in some areas, while other growers near to the coast and in other parts of the Waimea Plains are also said to have sustained losses.
Among the worst affected, according to Business Day, was the Mahana-based Thawley Orchard Company, which confirmed the hail had damaged almost half of the company's crop.
Another local grower, Brian Fenwick, told the newspaper that around two-thirds of fruit on his 20ha block had been damaged, making it impossible to pick the remainder for export without sustaining a loss.
Fruition Horticulture consultant Greg Dryden suggested the hailstorms were the worst since 2004 and would have a 'noticeable impact' on production volume.
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