Cherry growers in the Argentine province of Neuquén claim they have lost half of their harvest due to ash from Chile's Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcano, website lmneuquen.com.ar reported.

Limay Chamber of Producers president Héctor Inda, said the ash killed many bees in the area which resulted in much lower pollination.

Inda added that lower production volumes had affected jobs both for farm laborers and producers who had to survive throughout the year on their earnings during the cherry season.

The volcano erupted in June covering five million hectares of fruit and farm land with ash 30cm (1ft) deep affecting the region’s fruit and sheep farms.

Neuquén province in northern Patagonia is also famous for its pear, apple and grape production and the full effects of the volcano on these crops is not yet known.

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