NSW Almond Industries Threatened by Varroa Mite Outbreak

New South Wales’ almond sectors are grappling with a “worst-case scenario” due to the detection of varroa mite in hives within the Riverina and Sunraysia regions. The outbreak can be linked to infected hives from Kempsey. In response, the NSW Department of Primary Industries has set up a 10-kilometre eradication zone and a 25-kilometre surveillance zone to curb the spread of the mite. This discovery comes shortly after a varroa mite cluster was found near Kempsey. There’s rising concern about the broad impact on the industry, as many hives are currently situated in the affected areas for almond pollination. The Almond Board of Australia suggests a potential shift in approach from eradication to management of the mite, but the NSW DPI maintains its focus on eradication.