Kiwifruit businesses may soon begin failing because of the PSA disease which is wreaking havoc in the sector.

These are the words of Satara Co-operative Group Limited Managing Director, Tom Wilson, who says the impacts of the more virulent form of PSA are taking their toll in Te Puke.

“There’s clear evidence that if the crop gets impacted to the extent that people are talking about it, and that we believe that it’s going to get impacted, then some orchardists simply won’t be able to service the debt on their orchards.

Mr Wilson says the problem facing the sector is simple – no crop no income, and no income means no cash to pay debt.

He says many growers will be holding their breath through the Spring when the effects of the bacteria become more apparent.

Satara is advising its growers in the hardest hit area around Te Puke not to buy new cultivars this year as it is simply too high a risk.