International agencies are expressing deep concern at the possible effects of volcanic ash and acid rain that fell on Tonga during the massive volcanic eruption on January 15.
The Food and Agriculture Organization warns the ash could delay or stunt agricultural harvests.
Several New Zealand companies import agricultural goods from Tonga, such as Tauranga based Heilala Vanilla, which has being using Tongan vanilla to produce upmarket products since 2002.
Jennifer Boggiss with Tongan workers in the vanilla vines Photo: Supplied
Heilala Vanilla CEO, Jennifer Boggis, said most of their vanilla is grown on Vava'u which was relatively undisturbed by the eruption, but there is concern for crops on affected islands such as 'Eua.
"We have had the ash analysed by plant food research here in New Zealand, and yeah...it's a bit of waiting game to see how it's gonna impact the crop from 'Eua," Ms Boggis said.
She said the ash is currently being analysed by Plant and Food research in New Zealand while the upcoming harvests will reveal the extent of the volcanic impact on crops.
