Storms ‘devastate’ kiwifruit orchards

Press, 13 April 1982, Page 1

Storms ‘devastate’ kiwifruit orchards

PA Opotiki Easter storms have caused a $1 million loss of export kiwifruit in Opotiki, according to growers. The tailwind from Cyclone Bernie has left a trail of destruction through orchards in the area, said the chairman of the Opotiki Fruitpackers Co-Operative, Mr Tony Enckevort. “It has more or less devastated us. Growers are claiming losses of up to 90 per cent in the worst-hit regions in the east,” he said. The high winds on Friday night tore shelter belts apart, throwing trees across vines

and dashing unripened fruit to the ground. A lot of the fruit was so badly damaged that it was not suitable for the local market either except in processed form, Mr Enckevort said. “There has also been a lot of damage to other crops. About 50 per cent of the passionfruit has been lost, the tamarillos are devastated, and the avocadoes are badly damaged. All of the orchards have been badly hit.” The wind was so violent it uprooted trees and flung them about. In one case a tree was blown 40 metres.