I was hoping to wish you all a happy new year. Instead my team and I extend our sympathies to growers who have been affected, many very badly, by the recent rains in Central Otago and hailstorms in Roxburgh and Tasman.
After a difficult 2020, and a highly uncertain lead-in to the season, to have our harvest damaged so significantly is a blow that will affect you all over the next days, weeks and months. I am well aware that in the short term it will be tough to make any real decisions about the cherry harvest as, hopefully, the rains ease and fruit and trees dry out.
Whilst there are pressing operational tasks to be done, I encourage you to take a break to look after yourselves as the most critical task at this time. My team has already been able to help growers connect and share experience and advice to support those who are struggling, and I encourage you to reach out to others if you are stressed or just in need of a chat.
Together with HortNZ, I am working on ensuring that the Ministry for Primary Industries can assist in supporting the sector, and we are advised that the Rural Support Trust 0800 RURAL HELP (0800 787 254) is fully funded to provide immediate support. If growers need further support, especially for cleaning up flood damage, please do get in touch with me directly so we can understand the scale of support necessary.
Without taking away from the significance of the rain affected cherry harvest, I am very pleased to see from Richard Mills’ report that domestic summerfruit sales have continued strongly and consumers seem well satisfied with the crop quality and taste. Despite the likely shortage of cherries in the next week or so, this sets the scene for a continued positive season for peach, plum and nectarines. As always good quality fruit will be key to continuing that success.