MARKET IN BRITAIN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 69, Issue 74, 7 January 1949, Page 2

MARKET IN BRITAIN

NEW ZEALAND CANNED . GOODS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Jan. 6. A big expansion in the export of canned goods, particularly tomato products, to the United Kingdom .is planned by the canning industry, m New Zealand this year. Confirming this to-night, the president of the hew Zealand Fruit and Vegetable Canners Federation (Mr J. Wattie) said the amount - exported would depend on licences approved by the . British Treasury. A decision on this question was expected thils month. Describing steps ta.ken to increase exports, Mr Wattie said arrangements had been made several months ago for large plantings of tomatoes. One firm alone expected to handle 10,000 tons of tomatoes this year. ' There had never been more favourable circumstances for New Zealand canned products to get on to the English market. He felt that as. long as products natural to the country, such as tomatoes and green peas, were concentrated on the industry was on the right lines. Canners felt confident that a market to .the extent of £1,000,000 could be developed- if a free market was obtained. New Zealand canned products already had a place on the English market, Mr Wattie said. Last year one factory exported more than 3,000,000 cans of tomato products. The demand for them had increased since dollar difficulties had arisen, and now New Zealand, Australia and South Africa were the chief suppliers of canned goods to Britain. During a visit to Britain last year to discuss trade expansion Mr Wattie was assured by British importers that they would take as much as New Zealand was able to supply. This applied to canned‘peas, spaghetti, and cheese as well as tomatoes. Mr Wattie snid lie had been concerned when the exchange rate had been altered. He had expected this would place Australia in a position to under-sell New Zealand goods. As it turned out, it had not been a serious handicap, and the fact that the Dominion was able to maintain her position with tomatoes and green peas was' a sound reason for concentrating on lines which grew well in this country.

The New Zealand Government was doing everything possible to press the claims of New Zealand in getting her canned goods on the market, Mr Wattie said. Similar help had been given the canning industry in both Australia and South Africa.

An important factor in Australia and New Zealand was the .supply of tin plate, the world supply position of which was not good. He understood that Australian quotations were made subject to the availability of tin plate.