Kiwifruit in Bay of Plenty could be 'devastated' by climate change

Warmer global temperatures will change the climate of the region says Dr Andrew Tait. Photo/File

Kiwifruit harvests in New Zealand's main growing region in the Bay of Plenty could be devastated by climate change, scientists say.

The region is home to about 90 per cent of New Zealand's kiwifruit industry with more than half of that based around the town of Te Puke.

The Hayward variety of kiwifruit grown in the area is suited to the local climate and soils, including warm springs, mild summers and autumns, and a high number of sunshine hours.

However, warmer global temperatures will also change the climate of the region, NIWA scientist and lead author into a study on the industry's future Dr Andrew Tait says.

"Our study shows that kiwifruit production around Te Puke steadily decreases over coming decades," he said.

"It will be marginal by 2050 and most likely not viable by 2100 under all but the most stringent of global greenhouse gas emission options."

Dr Tait said another issue for Te Puke growers was whether use of the chemical hydrogen cyanamide becomes restricted or banned.

The industry's productivity significantly increased between 1980 and 2010 due to technology changes and the introduction of this chemical, which can be sprayed on the vines in late winter to improve growing conditions.

By the year ending June, 2016, New Zealand annual kiwifruit exports were worth $1558 million - up from $930m the previous year.

But Dr Tait said if a ban was put on hydrogen cyanamide, the industry would need to urgently consider growing Hayward kiwifruit in other other parts of the country and also consider "genetic improvement".

This is where there was a glimmer of good news, Dr Tait said.

Increases in temperature from global warming would transform other parts of the country into suitable areas to grow kiwifruit, he said. - NZN