Blueberries Could Be NZ's Next $150m Horticultural Export
Blueberries have the potential to become a major horticultural export, earning up to $150 million within the next three to five years.
All growers in the region have been advised of the situation and advised by KVH. KVH are holding a meeting for Whangarei growers next week and will be carrying out extensive monitoring in the region over the weekend.
There are 49 orchards in the Whangarei region comprising of close to 144 canopy hectares.
KVH chief executive, Barry O'Neil says this new find is very disappointing and will be particularly hard for local growers and the regional committee.
O'Neil says that Whangarei growers and the regional committee were successful keeping Psa-V out of the region for more than four years.
"The fact Whangarei is located between two positive regions, and is only now being confirmed with Psa-V, is testament to the highly proactive approach they have taken over the last few years."
"However, it has been a cold, wet winter and spring is always a nervous wait as we start to see what effect the winter has had on orchards. This spring KVH has had reporting of more widespread infection in all positive regions – worse than the last couple of years so this result in Whangarei is not entirely unexpected."
Symptoms are only now starting to show, but based on the dieback and exudate, it is likely the disease has been present for some time.
"Every grower in every region should be proactively monitoring their vines and maintaining a robust spray programme this spring to protect their orchards as much as possible."
Growers in the Whangarei area are advised the following:
· Monitor orchards extensively and report any suspicious Psa-V symptoms to KVH on 0800 665 825.
· Maintain strict orchard hygiene procedures as per KVH Best Practice: Orchard Hygiene. Refer to www.kvh.org.nz/hygiene.
· Implement and maintain a protective spray programme. KVH recommends a copper spray application as soon as possible. Refer to the spring spray programme in the Psa-V Seasonal Management Guide available on the KVH website www.kvh.org.nz/seasonal_advice.
· No kiwifruit plant material, including budwood and nursery stock, along with any potentially contaminated orchard equipment, can be moved between orchards.
