OUR APPLE MARKET.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 292, 7 December 1920, Page 8

OUR APPLE MARKET.

GOOD OPENING IN ENGLAND. IMPORTANCE OF GRADING. "There is a good opening in Great Britain at present for New Zealand apples if only sufficient space could be arranged on the steamers,' said Mr. A. S. iJupp, a member of a large importing firm in London, who arrived by the R.M.s. Niagara. In conversation with the "Star" he said that the United Kingdom at present relied on the American and Australian apples, as well as the home grown, to fill the needs of consumers. There was a period, however, every year when supplies were short and if only New Zealand would organise so as to -send its apples at that time it 'would have an excellent sale on a practically empty market.

"I am in New Zealand," said Mr. •lupp, who is a Fellow of the Royal Horticultural Society, and has taken a degree in horticultural science, "to buy nil the apples 1 can get. 1 have been making a atudy in the United States, particularly in Oregon, of the best methods of fruit grading and packing, and I have been greatly impressed with the schools they have established there and the up-to-date machinery for ensuring that the requisite quality of apples is secured for thfl different grades. I hope 1 shall find in New Zealand that fruitgrowers are as alert to this aspect of their business as to that of growing high-olass fruit. As I found in the United States the methods of packing have a great influnce on the price. 1 must say that at present in England the reputation of New Zealand fruit stands high, but if cargo space can be secured much more might be sold there than is the case. The Americans are very keen in the British market and neglect no opportunity to improve the grading of their fruit and the methods of marketing/ .

Mr. Jupp intends, if practicable, to open a grading factory in this Dominion, where the fruit he purchases will be packed for market.