The Kiwifruit vine disease PSA is worrying orchardists in the worst affected areas, as bad news from other countries dealing with the virus filters through the system.

The disease was discovered in the Bay of Plenty late last year and more than 200 orchards have since been diagnosed with PSA.

The more virulent, Italian isolate, PSA V, is spreading through Europe –  in particular France and Italy, and Zespri’s Shane Max says they’re keeping a close eye on the situation over there.

“The symptoms we’ve seen in the Spring and Summer here, while the symptoms are the same, the progression has been very different.

“We’ve seen different progression in Italy and France due to the conditions over there at different times of the year – it’s hot and dry in the Summer there.

“Environmentally it makes it tougher – we can learn, but interpreting it all might be a bit harder.”

Shane Max says lab results from several orchards suspected to have the more virulent PSA isolate are expected back within the next two weeks, including two outside Te Puke.

Meanwhile, the country’s largest Kiwifruit exporter, Zespri, has released mixed news for New Zealand growers.

Zespri’s annual results showed a lift in total payments to growers, despite a 71% fall in its full year profit, as a result of the fight against PSA.

Zespri CEO John Loughlin says growers should expect another tough season, as the problems around dealing with PSA are still affecting the industry.

“Growers I think are more focused on the PSA situation, most of them are well through harvesting now, but certainly PSA has produced a major and concerning risk factor.

“It’s not an easy international environment either, oil prices are volatile, currencies are volatile, and some economies are sluggish, so it’s challenging.”

Mr Loughlin says on top of Zespri’s contributions towards PSA containment, an expected drop in kiwifruit returns will also hurt growers as international production rises.