New Zealand cherry volumes 50% lower than expected
New Zealand's cherry harvest this season will likely be 1,500 metric tonnes (MT) lower than expectations after rain damaged crops, newspaper The Southland Times reported.
Summerfruit NZ manager Marie Dawkins told the newspaper that season's exports were expected to be just 100MT higher than last year's shipments, which were worth NZ$23 million (US$17.76 million). 
She said exports were still approaching record levels with one week to go, while Summerfruit NZ chairman Gary Bennetts told The Southland times that December rains damaged 500MT of crops, while January rains tripled the damage.
The region of central Otago supplies 95% of the country's cherry exports, which are expected to be around 1,500MT this year, the story reported.
Source: www.freshfruitportal.com
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