Assessment of damage to apple crops after Hurricane Gabrielle

Local media report New Zealand Apples and Pears' new analysis, based on data collected from 150 apple growers in the Hawke's Bay region. The organization estimates that around 47% of the apple harvest was affected, according to 3 levels of damage classified into categories:

.1st category: orchards totally destroyed; trees and infrastructure have disappeared, which will require a complete redevelopment.

.2nd category: orchards submerged and covered with mud, which could lead to the death of many trees.

.3rd category: "exploitable" orchards, the trees are waterlogged but a reduced harvest is possible.

 

According to New Zealand Apples and Pears, categories 1 and 2 accounted for about 25% of the planted area at Hawke's Bay, or about 2,100 hectares. Category 3 represents approximately 1,800 hectares.

 

"The good news is that 53% of Hawke's Bay orchards are unaffected, or about 4,400 hectares. These apples are picked, packed and prepared for export," said Richard Punter, president of New Zealand Apples and Pears. Highlighting that other production areas have not been affected such as Nelson, Marlborough, Southland, South Canterbury and other parts of the North Island.