A flooded Hawke's Bay orchard after Cyclone Gabrielle. Photo: RNZ / Jimmy Ellingham
Severe weather events this summer will increase prices for some fruit and vegetables throughout this year and their seasonal availability has become less predictable, the co-founder of a fruit and veg delivery service says.
"It's unusual the way the seasons are going at the moment" - Angus Simms
Wonky Box co-founder Angus Simms said the avocado season had come to a slightly early finish for some growers which accounts for their current steep prices.
The very high avocado prices seen in some supermarkets were unusual for this time of year, although it was coming towards the end of the avocado season, he said.
The bad weather caused by Cyclone Gabrielle hit Northland and Bay of Plenty and had a severe effect on a lot of the avocado plantations in those regions, he said.
That caused the winds to blow far more fruit from the trees than usual which had meant the season almost ended a bit earlier than usual, he said.
"Right now what we're seeing is the prices increase just based on the amount of supply we have domestically at moment."
Weather events were causing seasonal uncertainty as to crop availability, he said.
The severe weather over the summer had also affected other crops and seasonal supplies of fruit and veg were likely to be atypical this year, he said.
Apple supply was likely to tighten up towards of the end of the year, he said.
Apples were typically harvested once a year in March or April, but the recent severe weather in Hawke's Bay would lead to a lack of supply later in the year, he said.
"So right now they're holding and we can see the price relatively stable but later on in the year apples will be an example that will likely increase."
The effect of flooding on root crops in Pukekohe would also likely be seen later this year, he said.
Kūmara had been hit particularly hard although the full extent of flood damage on crops was not yet evident, he said.
"There are estimates of upwards of nearly 90 percent of the kūmara crops that are sold domestically are at risk of waste just simply because of the floods.
"Soft spots, rots, pulling them from the ground growers are noticing that - so you're seeing upwards of $12-$13 [a kilo] in some stores at the moment."
Good buys in the coming months were likely to be standard winter veges such as broccoli, brussel sprouts and yams, he said.
"I would suggest be flexible in the way that you are shopping because you know it's unusual the way the seasons are going at the moment, so just keep an eye out, do your research, be conscious of what you're purchasing in the supermarkets."
If anything is too expensive think twice about buying it and consider whether something cheaper can be substituted, he said.