A heavy hailstorm caused major damage to avocado, citrus and macadamia orchards, as well as tobacco fields in the areas west and north-west of Mbombela on Saturday evening. Farmers in Alkmaar, Schagen and Brondal had to watch helplessly as whole orchards were destroyed by hail on Saturday.
Fruit was struck off trees. Other fruits were damaged to such an extent that they are likely to fall off eventually. Those remaining – especially avocados – will no longer be exportable due to marks caused by hailstones. According to pictures posted on thelowvelder.co.za, golf ball sized hailstones were not exceptional.
