In Canterbury, New Zealand, a 10ha orchard in the Pendarves area is experiencing a significant loss as hundreds of thousands of apples are rotting and falling to the ground. Traditionally harvested by fruit pickers in March, the operation has hit a snag this year due to the high off-farm costs associated with getting the apples to market, rendering the venture unprofitable. The specific details of the financial challenges were not disclosed by the farmer involved.
While New Zealand Apples & Pears, an industry body, has not confirmed recent trends in market costs or the overall profitability of apple farming, there is an indication of growth within the sector. Rockit, an apple producer, has announced plans to expand its production capacity in Canterbury by establishing more orchards, signalling continued investment in the region's apple farming industry.
Source: odt.co.nz