OUR FRUIT INDUSTRY.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 257, 30 October 1929, Page 27

OUR FRUIT INDUSTRY.

DEVELOPNG FRESH MARKETS. SOLVING MINOR PROBLEMS. (Specially Written by "Super") Slowly, but surely, the fruitgrowing industry of the Dominion is folding its feet, and a greater feeling of - optimism in the future is apparent amongst growers. The vicissitudes" through which it has passed have been many, and the difficulties surmounted by growers very great, including the successful development of an export market for a highly perishable commodity. Mow that stability has been reached, and growers are assured of a steady export market in England, attention can reasonably be given to other phases of the fruitgrowing business. Some of these, though admittedly less important than the major problems which have so far been dealt with, can assist growers to a better realisation for second grade and inferior fruit, and thus improve the net returns per acre for the season. The local market has been the sole outlet for the poorer grades of fruit, with the jam factories taking quantities of certain stone and small fruits. There are various ways in which this market can be profitably extended. Opening Fresh Markets. Up till a few years ago the general marketing policy in connection with the whole of New Zealand's primary products was to send direct to Loudon, but since separate boards have been handling affairs on behalf of different sections of producers a policy of decentralisation is gradually coming about The Meat Producers' Board, for instance, has studied American and Continental demands, and has made trial shipments to various places, while both it and the Dairy Produce Board have sent shipments to West Coast ports in the United Kingdom in the belief that profitable markets can be opened up outside of London. In the same way the Fruit Board has been trying out various markets, and the profitable trade with South America is largely due to its progressive policy. By spreading the distribution of our fruit over a number of ; widely scattered markets, the returns of the growers will be enhanced, for it is unlikely that dull markets will . rule everywhere at the one time. An additional factor in favour of the South American market also is that it takes grades of apples that are not so keenly sought in England. At first sight the quantity which , can be absorbed by the local market would appear to be fixed, and incapable of being greatly increased, but Australian experience shows that this can be stimulated to a remarkable extent where proper methods are utilised. Take citrus fruits, for instance. These are coming more and mora to prominence in our northern districts, and growers are steadily producing a more even quality line. Disposal of the second-grade fruit is a decidedly difficult problem, but in Australia thousands of cases of this class of citrus fruit is used in the manufacture of orange and lemon drinks. There the railway authorities strongly support the growers, and a prominent New Zealand grower who recently spent a holiday in Australia stated on his return that in one day 12,045 orange and other fruit juice drinks were sold at Melbourne railway counters alone. How many of our New Zealand travellers would be willing to have a glass of fruit drink in the summer, in place of the tea or coffee they now drink? This is a matter which is worthy of attention on the part of growers, for it need not. necessarily be confined solely to citrus fruits. Apple juice is a wholesome, drink also, and the number of cases of second-grade apples, oranges and lemons -which could be utilised during the summer months—and all the year round for that matter —is -imited largely b} 1 " the vision of. those who initiate such a scheme.

Bridging the gap between the producer and consumer is another way which has been found to yield profits. Many growers adjacent to main towns have worked up useful connections in this way. In some cases arrangements are made with a. bank whereby clients place orders there, paying in cash to the bank, which notifies the grower of the name and address of each client. More fruit would be eaten if prices were lower. By offering cases of fruit direct, the producer can secure more than he does through the ordinary channels, and the consumer get his fruit more cheaply. Fruit Research. There is another way iv which growers can help themselves, and that is through giving every possible assistance to those who are carrying out research into various problems connected with fruitgrowing. Fruitgrowers, more than any other primary producers, should have a tremendous respect for scientific research, for they have had several demonstrations of the practical way in which it assists them, of which the introduction of the apbelinus mali, parasite of the woolly aphis, has been the most outstanding For some considerable time past experiments on temperatures at which fruit carries best have been under way, results are regarded as confidential, which is the reason why so little is known of the work under way. Once co-operation between the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research in New Zealand, and the Low Temperature Research Station at Cambridge making these possible. Shipowners are giving facilities fully and freely, provided the defects can be sheeted home, the shipping authorities will be the first to agree to make alterations to existing plant. Meantime a continuance of the experiments is adding steadily to a knowledge of the most satisfactory temperatures for the carriage of fruit for long distances. When we remember that the success of our fruit industry depends on the successful carriage " of a '"live" commodity thousands of miles overseas, we realise how vital is the programme of research now under way. Fruit differs entirely from meat and dairy produce, in that it is a living entity; the temperatures at which butter and cheese carry best are not those most suited for fruit, and it is only by years of painstaking work that the problem will eventually be solved. Constructive thought, given to the problem of increasing the local consumption of. all our fruit, together with increased attention to the development of secondary export markets, will mean better returns for growers in the future. The industry to-day is on a sound basis, and can concern itself with policies leading to better utilisation of all markets and the elimination of waste in all directions.