After two tough years of storms and low supply, New Zealand strawberry growers are celebrating a big comeback.
This summer, more strawberries will be available just in time for Christmas, making it easier for families to enjoy the juicy fruit on their festive desserts.
Ed Hobson from Hauora Produce in Canterbury said he’s excited about the harvest. His farm is one of 160 across the country, with eight of them growing half of all strawberry plants.
Recent years were hard, with storms and Cyclone Gabrielle destroying many plants. Some growers only received half the number of plants they needed. It took two years to recover because strawberry plants must be carefully grown from small cuttings.
Sally King from Strawberry Growers NZ said growers worked very hard through the challenges. Although it wasn’t easy, their efforts have paid off.
Andrew Boylan from Tharfield Nursery said it was once heartbreaking to realise there wouldn’t be enough fruit for shops. But now, he says, things are looking much better.
With flowers and fruit already appearing on the plants, prices should be lower, and supply more steady. Hobson encourages everyone to enjoy the season while it lasts.
“Just keep eating strawberries,” he said.
That is one fit cat. I dont think i could walk that far. Let a lone a cat!!!
long way for a cat to travel
it was really good and interesting I loved it good job
That’s a long way.
The owners must’ve been scared to lose their cat but in the end the cat was found by a kind person who looked after the cat after walking 1448 km.
Thats pretty amazing! Very fit cat. Surely it didn’t do it all on paw! That’s crazy!
a least the cat got home
That cat must love their family so much to travel 1448 km, by paw!
I want that cat NOW!!!!!!!!
wish i could travel that far
wow cat strong
traveled so long!
they are so cute