The nectarine harvest got underway on 1st of November at Riverbend Orchards in Wood Wood, Victoria. The start was two weeks late due to cold weather and rain.
Riverbend have been growing in the area for 32 years as the favourable conditions produce prime stone fruit.
"The weather can control and contribute to our season in many ways! The challenges the rain has brought is flooding in our fields, damaged fruit due to rain and hail, two week delays and fruit are aborting off the trees leaving around 20 pieces of fruit on our yellow peach crops, and light in all crops as size is down. In our 32 years of business we have never seen weather like this," said Sam De Maio Director and owner of Riverbend Orchard.
"Brix levels are lower than normal, however they are just meeting supermarket standards."
Volumes have also been affected and are down between 50 to 65 percent depending on where the orchards are located as some received heavy rainfall and hail.
Riverbend's main export markets are Singapore, Malaysia, Dubai, Vietnam, Philippines and they hope to expand relationships and capabilities to further their expand their export markets.
For more information:
Marianna De Maio
Riverbend Orchard
marianne@riverbendorchard.com.au
riverbendorchard.com.au/