Batlow Apples ripen after the flames, but full fire impact unknown
CONVEYING CONFIDENCE: Batlow Fruit Company apples are sorted after the harvest. "It is very pleasing to see our growers pick themselves up so quickly," the firm says.
New season Batlow apples are on their way, although the complete impact of the summer bushfires on this year's crop is still being evaluated.
Batlow Fruit Company director and apple grower Greg Mouat said the picking, production and delivery of royal gala apples this month pointed to the community's ongoing recovery.
"There are more than 20 apple growers in Batlow who supply to Batlow Apples and almost all of them had their orchards damaged in the bushfires," he said.
SUMMER THINNING: The Batlow Apples royal gala crop is due to hit the market in the last week of February.
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"Some suffered damage to about 5 per cent of their orchards, while others had up to 40 per cent damaged.
"Preliminary assessments of those orchards have been done, but it will take several months to assess the full extent of damage to this year's crop and the long-term ability of damaged trees to produce fruit."
Batlow Fruit Company Chairman Scott Keddy said representatives met with the federal and state government in January to discuss bushfire recovery.
"In addition to the immediate relief funding, the government has asked the industry representative body Apple and Pear Australia Limited to conduct a full assessment of the damage and provide a submission detailing what funding is required to enable a full recovery and to ensure the long-term viability of the Batlow apple growing industry," he said.