The bumper apple harvest predicted for Central Otago would have economic effects benefiting the whole community, Ettrick grower Stephen Darling says.
"Our production and harvest methods are heavily reliant on people," Mr Darling said.
A good harvest crop, an export market increase, and a corresponding payout to apple growers would find its way into the pay packets of orchard workers and Central Otago communities, he said.
Central Otago Mayor Malcolm Macpherson said it was good news to hear of the bumper pipfruit forecasts.
"It's good for the whole economy of the region when horticulture has a good run."
Orchards and vineyards employed "several thousand" workers and many were people who travelled to the region for seasonal work.
"They spend most of what they earn here in the local communities," he said.
Dr Macpherson told the Otago Daily Times he is a director of the Apple Futures scheme.
Central Otago's regional economic agency - Otago Forward - backed the new scheme when it was launched and invested $5000 in it.
"Nearly all" of the region's orchardists had signed up too.
"We've had a huge bang for our buck," he said.
The mayor was reluctant to discuss specific returns on the $5000 investment, but said they "could be easily in the vicinity of a ten-fold return."
Pipfruit NZ chief executive Peter Beaven, of Hastings, said this season's exports were expected to bring in more than $500 million in foreign exchange earnings.
