N.Z. FRUIT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 302, 21 December 1932, Page 15

N.Z. FRUIT.

MARKET CONDITIONS.

ADVANTAGE FOR AUSTRALIA.

EXCHANGE RATE PREMIUM,

Hope was expressed this morning by Mr. H. Turner, London manager of the New Zealand Fruit Export Control Board, who arrived by the Kangitata, that the tariff revision resulting from the Ottawa Conference will help Dominion growers next season as far as United Kingdom markets are concerned.

Mr. Turner said that conditions on the Continent and in Scandinavia were making business most difficult. The New Zealand growers were at a disadvantage compared with the Australian growers in consequence of the different exchange rates, which meant to the Australian growers a premium of 15 per cent. That enabled the Australian grower to underquote the New Zealand grower and still realise a better price. New Zealand still had pride of place for quality, and under the most advantageous market conditions commanded a premium of 1/ to 1/6 a case over the bulk of other suppliers. During the past season climatic conditions affected New Zealand fruit on arrival, but that had nothing to do with either packing or growing. He saw a lot of.the fruit packed in New Zealand, and it was perfect before shipment. As drought followed a rainy season, it might have ■affected the keeping qualities of the fruit.

In reference to paseion fruit, Mr. Turner said that there was a limited market in Britain for it as a luxury line. It was a question whether the market could be developed by propaganda and the price limited to take it out of the luxury class. Housewives in England were unaware of the qualities of the fruit for flavouring. It was a fruit that could be shipped from New Zealand and landed on the Home market in good condition.