Motueka fruit growers are struggling to recover from the worst hail storm to hit the area in human memory.

The freak storm hit around 40 apple and kiwifruit orchards in Motueka, Riwaka and lower Moutere last week.

While some growers lost about 10 percent of their fruit, others lost everything.

The Ministry for Primary Industries is working with local growers to help with the recovery effort, only about 30 percent of those affected have insurance.

Motueka Fruit Growers Association chairman Simon Easton says some growers are laying off staff already because of the damage.

"Most are very distraught.

"Some have lost their whole crop and other growers have just got slight damage and they'll work through it.

"some have got insurance, some haven't got insurance.

"It'll be a tough year for growers that have got significant damage."