Rain has put a dampener on the North Island's valuable cherry crop.
Summer fruit was hard-hit in spring frosts last year, but growers were expecting a bumper season this year after a chilly winter put plenty of fruit on the trees.
But 60mm of rain 10 days ago and 20mm overnight has
been causing some fruit, especially cherries, to split.
The fungal disease brown rot also flourished in the warm, humid conditions caused by the rain.
Brian Fulford, chairman of the Hawkes Bay Fruitgrowers' Association summer fruit sector, said the rain so far was not a big worry, "but we want it to stop".
Cherries were starting to split just as they were ripening for the lucrative Christmas market.
The rain 10 days ago would have done more good than harm in boosting the size of peaches and nectarines, but now growers needed sun and warmth to give the fruit flavour and colour.
Mr Fulford said this season was running slightly later than last year's "which was eminently forgettable".
Haumoana apricot grower Barry Jones said a lot of apricots were already picked.
The rain would not have helped the royal rosa variety, but was great for the later sundrop.
Apple growers said the rain would hold up thinning, but it was otherwise welcome.
Elsewhere, shearing and haymaking was being delayed, but farmers generally welcomed the rain for freshening feed, though too much could mean problems with flystrike.
For hay contractors the rain is a nuisance as they try to get hay and silage made before Christmas.
Mike Kettle, of Havelock North, said the rain of 10 days ago was "brilliant, million-dollar rain".
But now most contractors had hay cut, and before it can be baled it would need to be spread out to dry then raked up again, further holding them up.
MetService forecaster Pat Beswick said the rain would ease in Hawkes Bay today, with just a few showers.
He said it would be mostly fine tomorrow.
- NZPA
