Hail destroyed up to half of some Blenheim and Hawkes Bay growers' cherry crops this week, altering the supply and demand ratio in Central Otago's favour.
Jackson Orchards owner Kevin Jackson said his early varieties of cherries were usually sent throughout the South Island, as Blenheim and other cherry growing areas supplied the North Island.
With the loss of crops this season, more demand for South Island cherries such as those in Central Otago would generate a higher financial return, he said.
"Price of fruit is set by supply and demand and if there is less supply the price goes up."
Mr Jackson's orchard is usually the first to pick cherries in the district, due to its well-established cherry trees of both early varieties Earlise and Berlat.
Mr Jackson said the orchard's Cromwell site also made for early ripening, with his cherries ready to pick up to 10 days before others around the district.
"We also have an orchard block 2km away which is generally five days behind, and that shows how a little geography can play a major part," he said.
Early varieties make up about 30% of the orchard's 5ha of cherry trees, although low October temperatures meant about 30% of that crop was lost.
Mr Jackson said the rest of his cherry varieties, which start to be picked from mid-December, had large crops on them and would compensate for the small loss of Earlise and Berlat.
This week, 200kg-500kg of cherries are being picked daily, which will increase to about 5000kg picked daily during the season's peak in mid to late December.
