Extreme cold in New Zealand affects crops

Fruit growers in the central North Island are counting their losses after a severe frost hit their crops. Radio New Zealand.

Strawberry Fields grows fruit on 22 acres in Matangi, outside Hamilton.

Owner Darian McFadden said a minus four frost late last week nailed 20 percent of his crop.

“It’s the hardest frost I’ve seen for that time of year in 35 years,” McFadden said.

“The intensity coupled with the time of year has nailed 100 percent of the flowers and all the fruit there. It’s actually frozen the fruit on the bushes, so crews went out this morning to get it out.

“Now [estamos] After 10 days a new fruit will grow.”

McFadden estimated that about 20 percent of his crop would die from the frost, resulting in a huge financial loss to the business.

One problem with that is that early fruits are the most valuable fruits.

“Strawberries now sell for $6 to $6.50 in the supermarket. So we missed the cream before we even started.”

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