The colder and wetter than usual summer this year is having an impact on the growth of fruit and resulting in a slightly later harvest for grapes.

Central Otago Winegrowers Association general manager Carolyn Murray said overall vine health across Central Otago is excellent, despite the season being marked by continuous rainfall. 

“Yields are tracking small to average, with a smaller regional crop expected and smaller berry size,” she told the Wānaka App.

“Quality is looking very promising, though we're hoping for a warm and dry February and March. 

She said the harvest is shaping up to be “slightly later overall”.

A market update for Central Otago showed growing conditions were slower than usual for summer fruit.

“Central Otago GDDs [growing degree days] are falling further behind normal,” Summerfruit NZ communications manager Andrew Bristol said.

Last week’s rain in Central Otago has led to some quality issues for apricots, but mostly the fruit is looking good, he said.

“Demand for Central Otago nectarines is strong, but maturation is slow.”

He said poor weather has also diminished demand for cherries.

“Fresh cherries will be available into the first week of February, but that might be the end for this season,” Andrew said.

The peach harvest is producing more volume, but Central Otago volumes for plums are still light.

But in good news for greengage fans, those fruit are just a week or so away, Andrew said.

MetService told the Wānaka App that the forecast is looking “a bit drier” for February.

Read more: Outlook for February: spring turns to summer