FRUIT POSITION

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 106, 7 May 1928, Page 12

FRUIT POSITION

BRITISH MARKET PROSPECTS . Australian Press Association. (Keccived 7th May, ' 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, sth May. The apple trade has shoAvn some improvement this week, chiefly because the fruit hail arrived in better condition. Fine warm weather has also brought about a better demand, but on the whole the market is still in an unsatisfactory condition. One importing firm Avritcs in its circular, "Present values must mean serious loss to grOAvei-s and speculators. Apparently retailers are only buying hand-to-mouth, waiting till rock bottom is reached. Hoavever, the low standard of prices had perhaps done some good, as it had got fruit into consumption and, it is hoped, the public may now buy freely." In reference to effects of the cold spell at the end of April, the Ministry for Agriculture reports that "Blossoms'of certain kinds of fruit in England and Wales are visibly damaged. The extent of the loss cannot be estimated with any degree ot accuracy, but severe damage appears to have been strictly localised, and it is stated that it is'unlikely that corp prospects will be materially affected. Reports from principal Continental fruit coutres point to serious damage. J.he French cherry crop is expected to be on y one-quarter that of last year s. Apricots promise only one-tenth of a normal yield. Spanish prospects arc also bad, owing to frosts catching the trees in full blossom. The Murcia apricot crop is expected to be only 30 per cent, of normal.