Apple and grape damage in HB

"Apple Horror" headlines Rural News, with nearly half of HB's orchards damaged.

Added 3 years ago

According to Apple and Pears NZ, of 8,400 hectares planted in apples in HB, 47% are damaged. Of the region's 150 pipfruit growers, 80 were affected by the cyclone.

The worst two categories sorted by Apple and Pears account for 25% of the 47% damaged. In these cases, the orchards are: a) literally gone and possibly too difficult to reinstate, or b) have been submerged and/or have deep silt, rendering them unviable. The balance are "workable", but many face huge costs to remove silt from around tree trunks before trees die.

Replanting an orchard could cost up to $250,000 per hectare, with four years or more to wait for harvest income.

Vineyards appear not as hard hit, with an estimated 10% damaged -- about 500 hectares out of approximately 4,700 hectares planted severely compromised according to Brett Linn, executive director of Hawke's Bay Winegrowers.