Hail storms in the Southern Australian Riverland region affected citrus and almond crops over the weekend, media agency the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported.

Cottee Harold's orchard operations supervisor Kim Shorrock, told the ABC his losses from the event could be up to AUD$500,000 (US$549,000), saying it was the 'biggest hailstorm' he'd ever seen.

"It's all but destroyed our 100 acres of almonds, all the blossoms and all the buds are lying on the ground everywhere," he was quoted as saying.

"And there was still ice lying around in the block yesterday at 11 am yesterday morning, there was still ice piled up in some areas near the shed. It was nearly a foot deep."

Citrus Australia CEO Judith Damiani told www.freshfruitportal.com the effects of the hailstorm would not significantly affect forecast volumes.

"There was an isolated hailstorm in the Renmark area over the weekend. Unfortunately there has been some damage to a small number of citrus and almond properties," she said.

"There is no significant effect to the South Australian or national citrus crop forecast at this stage."

Photo: The Food World

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