NZ kiwi growers worry cold snap could mean early harvest
Frost could shut down the vine, raising the brix levels that could bring on maturity. A severe frost could burn the leaves off and freeze the kiwifruit, Mr Brown said.
''It's worrying for growers, and I think they will be knocking down the doors of post-harvest companies to get their fruit picked now.''
Welcome Bay kiwifruit grower Mike Smith said his crop was not affected because his orchard was sheltered on an elevated site. Mr Smith had thought the industry had enough pickers ''but now that everyone wants to pick at once, it remains to be seen''.
Zespri grower and external relations general manager Dave Courtney said the industry was more than halfway through harvest and with full canopies on the vines, there was protection for the fruit. Zespri had not received reports yet of any substantial damage to crops from the recent frost, he said.
source: nzherald.co.nz
