Hawke's Bay orchards are currently busy with the apple season, with the first shipment of the season ready to be dispatched overseas. This event is very important for both producers and consumers, signaling a recovery and economic opportunity following Cyclone Gabrielle's impact.
T&G's Craig Kenny emphasized the significance of this operation, noting its extensive influence across the East Coast. The initial exports include the Royal Gala variety, with plans to escalate from 25 to 100 containers weekly as the season advances.
The industry is witnessing a resurgence, with Rocket Apples' Scott Griffin reporting a crop size double that of the previous year's, overcoming the cyclone-induced losses. The launch day saw over 100 containers loaded, totaling approximately 14.6 million apples, a figure anticipated to increase significantly in the forthcoming weeks. This marks a critical phase for the region's economic and agricultural landscape.
Source: 1news.co.nz