Grape growers in some of Australia’s most iconic wine regions said they have suffered crop losses due to unseasonable frosts, which are expected to persist.
In Australia’s largest wine grape growing region, the Riverland, South Australian vineyard owner Michael Stivahtaris has grappled with significant losses at his Monash property.
Stivahtaris reported that at least 20 percent of his crop has been devastated by a series of frosts that occurred in September – a situation exacerbated by low winter rainfall.
The Riverland typically has an annual average rainfall of 250-300 millimetres but only received 50mm in the past three months.
“Unfortunately, it hasn’t rained, it is very dry and we’re going to be susceptible to frosts right up until the end of October unless we get some very good rain within the next week or so,” Stivahtaris told ABC News.
“Wherever the frost has hit our crops, it has taken those vines out for the rest of the season. It isn’t a good scenario.
“If you’re in an area where the frost came through, any sorts of crops can be damaged: almonds, stone fruit, apricots or peaches.”
Source: ABC News.
