The real estate market for Kiwifruit Orchards in Te Puke has almost ground to a halt, due to concerns about the vine disease PSA.

Sales of kiwifruit orchards have almost completely dried up in the 5 months since November, when the disease was first discovered in the Bay of Plenty.

More than 200 orchards have since been confirmed as having the disease, while spraying and vine removal has kept the disease largely in check.

Te Puke real estate agent Stan Robb says there is still strong demand for orchards, but banks and finance companies are shying away from backing any interest.

“At the end of the day, the bank determines what is paid for orchards, and they’re not comparing apples with apples.

“There’s orchards, and there’s orchards – is there frost protection, what’s the structure like, all of this comes into it.

“All the banks are doing is quoting the latest sales figures.”

Stan Robb says most growers will be waiting anxiously for the spring, where secondary symptoms of the disease will give a clearer picture of infection.

 “The experts are saying we have to wait until Spring, and see what happens there, so I guess over the next three or four months we’ll have a better idea of where we are.

“What is the purchase price, is it going to work or is the whole lot all over?”

Outbreaks in other countries have followed similar patterns, and industry organisations here say they’re keeping in close contact with international experts in the disease.