Australia: Up to 15% of grape production damaged by adverse weather

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Australia: Up to 15% of grape production damaged by adverse weather

The Australian table grape crop will see a drop in yield this year after a destructive storm in Victoria, according to local media ABC Newsshutterstock_111135767

The publication reported hail, heavy rain and strong winds destroyed grapes destined for this year's harvest and buds setting for next season.

Australian Table Grape Association (ATGA) CEO Jeff Scott reportedly said the damage was still being quantified.

"We are looking at about 2,000 hectares, about 80 growers [and] around about 2 million to 2.5 million boxes. The value could be anywhere between $75 and $100 million [and] we are predicting round about 10 to 15 per cent damage across the national production," Scott was quoted as saying.

"Look, we've always had supply problems, particularly on the international scene. It just means there's going to be a lot of importers who aren't going to be able to buy a lot of fruit this year.

"Growers need some confidence going forward, so they need some announcement made by the State Government in the very near future so they can actually plan and get on with their redevelopment."

One grower, Ken Evans, who lost all of this year's grape crop and sustained damage for next year said growers would need government assistance.

Agriculture Minister in the Victoria region, Jaala Pulford, recently toured storm-affected properties and met with growers. She reportedly announced no assistance measures, but said the assessment process had not been completed.

She was hopeful all impacted farms would be assessed by the end of the week and then the State and Federal Government could work out what help they could provide.

"The loss assessments will be the thing that triggers the appropriate response," she was quoted as saying by ABC.

"So it's not a total dollar figure per region or per event, it's about the proportion of impact in a community or on a particular commodity."

Photo: www.shutterstock.com

www.freshfruitportal.com

 

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