Climate Adaptation and Economic Perspectives on Anti-Hail Net Adoption in Apple Orchards: An Exploratory Case Study in Southern Brazil

Hail events represent a major source of economic risk in apple production, leading to significant losses in yield and marketable output. Although anti-hail net systems are increasingly adopted as a mitigation strategy, evidence on their economic viability remains limited, especially in emerging regions. This study examines the economic dimensions of anti-hail net adoption in apple orchards in Vacaria, southern Brazil, by integrating remote sensing data, official loss records, and producer interviews. Multitemporal Sentinel-2 imagery was used to map the expansion of net-covered areas between 2016 and 2026. Economic loss data from eight recorded hail events, obtained from official government sources, were analyzed, along with apple area and production data. Exploratory interviews provided insights into installation costs, production losses, and perceived benefits. Results indicate a clear expansion of anti-hail nets associated with substantial hail losses. Producers reported pre-adoption losses of 30–90%, installation costs of Brazilian Real (BRL) 40,000–55,000 per hectare, and estimated payback periods of 3–4 years. These findings highlight the value of integrating remote sensing, official disaster records, and producer knowledge to support exploratory climate adaptation and economic assessments.