Hail sets back Brazilian state's apple production
Apple production in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS) is expected to fall 30% to 450,000 metric tons (MT) this season, website Globo Rural reported.
Producer JoĂŁo Meyer Junior told the media agency he had lost 20% of his crop due to hail, which was a problem facing 80% of growers in the state, the story reported.
"The fruit has depreciated to a category three, which means a loss of three to four times for the value of the fruit," he was quoted as saying.
The high value of the Brazilian real has also made international sales difficult, with an expected export fall of 45% on last season to 55,000MT, the story reported.