The ongoing bushfires in Australia have so far affected three major apple and pear growing areas, with 25 hectares damaged in South Australia alone.
The Adelaide Hills in South Australia were hit before Christmas while New South Wales, Bilpin and Batlow, were affected over the past weekend.
Phil Turnbull, CEO of Apple and Pears Australia, said Bilpin had reported extensive fires but in several cases the fires had been kept out of the main orchards. He said it was too early to determine the extent of the damage in Batlow because growers had only been able to gain access to their properties earlier this week.
The Australian apple and pear industry has faced several challenges over the past year because of climate change.
Global demand for apples and pears is expected to adjust to the knock-on effect that Australian wildfires will have on its export potential, with demand elsewhere possibly spiking as markets look for alternative sources. – Zoë van Rooyen.
