Producers growing the crop for export to the UK and other European destinations saw export volumes slump as their crop was struck by heavy rainfall in the spring making harvesting impossible. Growers had already had problems with the weather around the time of planting last November. The weather affected some 270ha of production and 9,000tonnes.

Those growers who were hardest hit and register their damages within a set 15 day period will now be able to invest in their businesses and prepare for the 2003 campaign thanks to the credit facility.

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