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Greg Wilkinson / Supplied
Central Otago cherries dumped at Cromwell transfer station after heavy rains devastated local crops.
Thousands of tons of Central Otago cherries are being dumped after the worst rains in 40 years devastated crops.
Growers anticipated a bumper harvest and were mobilizing to find enough workers following Covid-19 restrictions, but are now fighting to save the crops and staff they can.
Summerfruit NZ CEO Richard Palmer said the full extent of Central Otago’s damage had not yet been quantified, but up to half of the season’s cherry crop was expected to have been lost due to the split.
BROOK SABIN
The fast growing town of Cromwell has mountains, a stunning lake, vineyards, cherry picking, and plenty of adventure activities. Only the crowd is missing.
That would translate into a $ 50 million drop in export earnings.
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The persistent and heavy nature of the rain had not been experienced in four decades, Palmer said.
The Earnscleugh orchards, between Alexandra and Clyde, suffered when the Fraser River broke, while the damage to the trees would likely hamper next year’s season, he said.
“The sad news comes after growers began to feel optimistic that most of their fruit would be picked thanks to the fantastic response from New Zealanders and stranded backpackers who helped with the harvest.”
Panmure Orchards owner Jeremy Hiscock said some of his blocks had been completely destroyed while others were salvageable.
“Now it is a cost recovery operation.”
Farmers had lost between 40 and 60 percent of their crops and he knew of some who had lost everything.
The Fraser River flooded his property when it overflowed on January 2, entering the cold room and affecting machinery.
“I’ve been baking electric motors in my wife’s oven to dry things out,” he said.
So many cherries have been ruined that he has been using a 12 ton truck to dump them.
“Having rain on what was such a solid crop was devastating, but we haven’t had time to think about that because there are so many things to do,” he said.
Stuff
The heavy rain breaks open the skins of the cherries that are not covered up. (File photo)
Southern cherry exporter Tim Jones said there was not an orchard in the region that had been spared, although for many the situation was not as dire as predicted in early January.
The cherries were being dumped in places around the area because the cracks caused by the rain were so large that the stones were falling.
“It has no value when they are so damaged. They start to decompose in them with the dampness and humidity after the rain. “
Central Otago’s harvest of 7000-8000 tonnes last year would be reduced to 3000-4000 tonnes, he expected.
“It was the worst rain event I can remember in 28 years in cherries.”
Jo McKenzie-McLean / Stuff
Summerfruit New Zealand President and CEO of Orchard 45 South Tim Jones, based in Cromwell.
Despite the reduced cherry harvest, pickers were still needed and workers were encouraged to keep coming, especially after students returned to universities, he said.
Cromwell man Greg Wilkinson said the three piles of cherries he photographed at the city’s transfer station appeared to be a mix of damaged, ripe and unripe cherries.
“I tried one and it was delicious, but it was not fit to sell.
“I really feel sorry for the gardeners and the resulting impact on employment and our local economy as a result of growers having to make these tough decisions after the recent bad weather.”
Palmer said damage to other summer fruit crops, including apricots, nectarines, peaches and plums, was quite limited.
Hiscock said cherry pickers and packers faced harder work with less income and that ultimately the community would be hit by the loss of overall profits, although growers hoped to break even.
His concerns are now focused on having staff for the next pruning and harvest next year with so much uncertainty around immigration and recognized seasonal workers.
“I don’t see the end of the problems, but we are not going to let things break us. There is always something in stone fruit cultivation ”.
