Growers in Queensland, Australia, are adding up the costs of flooding in the state, The Australian Broadcasting Co. reported on its website.

The effects of the flooding are expected to be felt for the next three months.

Exports have slowed as the heavy rain and floods have compromised the quality of fruit, such as mangoes, rockmelons, bananas, lychees  and grapes, as well as vegetables such as tomatoes and sweet potatoes. The crops are not meeting export standards, the website reported.

Complicating the situation more, the standing water has slowed harvest of some crops (sweet potato harvests will be delayed a week, for example) and delayed planting of others as growers clean up from the floods, the website said.

Crops from other parts of Australia are getting a bit of a boost as a result of Queensland’s troubles. But Queensland is expected to produce a good cherry crop, beginning in January, the website said.

Source: www.freshfruitportal.com