Tonnes of hail damaged fruit rotting on the ground
 

December 2019

A month after a freak hailstorm that ripped through South Australia's Riverland, farmers are now dealing with the risk of a fruit fly outbreak due to the abundance of damaged fruit.
Instead of harvesting his eight-hectare apricot farm, grower Greg Pilgrim has been shaking scarred fruit from his trees and mulching the ruined produce.
"Hail leaves a big hole or a scar, and it becomes unsaleable."
In less than half an hour, the November hail storm that hit Barmera, Monash, Glossop, and parts of Renmark shredded grape vines and potholed stone fruit, citrus, and nut crops.
Around 130 growers were affected, with SA State Government figures estimating the value of crop losses to be over $23 million.
On top of dealing with the financial burden of the hail storm, Riverland farmers had to clean up all the damaged fruit on the ground to avoid a potential fruit fly outbreak, which could devastate the industry. Travellers are reminded that taking fruit or veg in the Riverland area, could result in fines of up to $375.

Greek Tribune