By Philippa Stevenson
Hawkes Bay orchardist Rob Walmsley believes organic apple growing has a bright future but he doesn't know whether he will be able to take part in it.
Mr Walmsley, chair of the Organic Apple Growers Association, converted his 6.5ha Hastings orchard to organic growing 18 months ago. He manages
another 14.5ha.
Now, like conventional apple growers who have seen returns slashed, his future will be determined by the willingness of banks to support the industry, he said.
It will be at least another 18 months before his produce can be certified as organically grown and attract premium prices.
This year, his fruit has been sold as unsprayed, but anticipated returns of up to $25 a carton have also been dashed by the tough market conditions. He may receive around $15 a carton.
"It's had a pretty devastating effect on my financial situation," Mr Walmsley said. "The tail end of the product has been hit just as badly [as conventional fruit]."
He does not regret the switch. "Those [organic] returns are still looking good, albeit on small volumes. I think there is a brighter future for organics ... provided we get through to full certification."
Other would-be organic growers have been discouraged.
Twenty-five Hawkes Bay growers produced 230,000 cartons of organic apples this year. Another six growers were set to join them in 2000 to boost production to 500,000 cartons, or 7 per cent of the total Hawkes Bay crop. Mr Walmsley said one prospective organic grower was trying to sell his orchard, while another was returning to conventional methods.
"I'm hoping I'll be able to carry on. If I carry on in the industry I will be staying organic," he said.
