Federated Farmers says losses from hail storms in parts of Canterbury on Monday are going to make it a grim Christmas for growers.
Grain & Seed chair David Clark says the hail fell along a narrow path from Darfield to Temuka in south and mid-Canterbury, causing heavy damage to radish, carrot, pea and clover crops.
However, he says many of these vegetable crops should stand a good chance of recovery.
Wheat and barley crops have also been damaged.
Mr Clark estimates some farmers may have lost up to 50% of the crops. Losses are expected to amount to up to $600,000.
In January this year, farmers in north Canterbury were hit by a freak mid-summer hail storm that wiped out more than $1 million worth of crops.
