Hot weather brings early Otago apricot harvest

December 2, 2017
Ripe apricots on a tree branch

A Central Otago orchard says it harvested apricots in November for the first time in its 103-year history because of hot weather sweeping the country.

Federated Farmers are warning early decisions need to be made by those who work the land.

"Apricots will be on road side stall. Small quantities available at this stage ... I'll try and stop the kids from eating them all," Cromwell-based Webb's Fruit says on its Facebook page.

A powerful and persistent ridge of high pressure over much of New Zealand during the second half of November caused near-record or record dryness in some locations, NIWA says.

Yesterday was the first official day of summer.

Read more: Farmers issued warning as country experiences one the driest November's on record

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