FRUIT EXPORT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 50, 28 February 1935, Page 4

FRUIT EXPORT.

PROSPECTS OF SEASON. REDUCED CROPS AND MARKETS. CONTROL BOARD'S ACTIVITIES. New Zealand will not have so large a crop of apples for export as it had last year, when 1,000,000 cases were shipped. For the 1935 season, it is estimated, 1,300,000 eases or thereabouts will be available, but these figures are by no means final. Auckland's contribution may be short, for the codlin moth has been active in this district, and its ravages are at present under investigation. Dry weather lias affected the crops in the Hastings, Canterbury, and Otago districts, and there will be some shortage owing to lack of rain at the time needed. On the other hand, Nelson, the chicf apple district, has absorbed sufficient moisture to keep all fruit swelling and the trees in good growing condition. Fruit in this area is in splendid order, although it is noticed that there is some russeting. This defect, however, docs not affect the eating quality of the fruit, but it lowers the gracle. Fruit is coming in rather slowly at present, but it will come with a rush at the curl of the month and in March and April. Stunners will probably be shipped two weeks ahead of their usual time. So much news of the crop prospects was gathered by the "Post" in a talk with .Mr. William Ben/ies, secretary of the New Zealand Fruit Control Board.

The Market Outlook. Discussing prospccts of the marketing of the fruit overseas, Mr. Benzies said: "The economic position in Europe is such that 1 am afraid the Continent, is practically closed, to us this year. France is placing many restrictions on all imports, thus regulating her overseas trade. Germany has taken over control of import trade and is operating on a barter basis. Fruit, not being considered as a highly essential article, is, I am afraid, placed rather low down on the list of restricted imports into Germany. It is doubtful if Australia or New Zealand will be able to make any direct shipments of fruit into that country during the current season.

"Scandinavia a>s a market is open to i, but the duty on fruit cut ">ng

Sweden has been increased by 1 rjk r cent. The duty on fruit entering Sullen was 2/ a case; it is now 4/. It is possible that this high duty may ba reduocd it trade agreements are made with Sweden. South Africa has done this successfully, and efforts are being made by Australia and New Zealand in the same direction, but nothing has as yet been completed. Denmark and Norway are still open to lis, but they take only very small quantities. Consumption is low in those countries. Sweden, Norway, and Denmark can take between them some 90,000 to 100,000 cases.

TJia Belgian Market. "Belgium is an important fruit import country, especially when German markets are open; it is a sort of clearing house for_ Continental supplies of Australian dry fruit. Belgium, a little over a year ago, reduced its import duty on wrapped apples and afforded speedy transport of fruit to Switzerland and Southern Germany. "We anticipate making a direct shipment this season to Antwerp and another to the Hook of Holland.

"With regard to exports to the United Kingdom," Mr. Benzies continued, "it is relatively a " fruit market for i'l apple exporting countries. • The United States regards the United Kingdom as its apple market, as Spain regards it as hot orange market.

"During the past four years England has been definitely over-supplied with all fruits. In 1932 and 1933 there was a heavy over-supply of apples during the summer months, which are regarded as the selling season in Great Britain for New Zealand and Australian fruit. The result of this was disastrous prices to growers.

Marketing Periods.

"A conference was held in London last June at which representatives of the fruit growing industry were present from all parts of the British Empire, including Great Britain itself. It was then decided that each part of the Empire— also Great Britain—should be allocated a market period. The Australian-New Zealand period was April, May, June and July, inclusive. Each part of the Empire was expected to endeavour to market the whole of its fruit available within the allotted period, and so regulate the quantities as to leave a firm market for their Empire partners to follow.

"Under this arrangement it was suggested that Australia and New Zealand should confer with a view to restricting the volume of their quantities. The conference has been held, and it is cxpr.cted that instead of shipping p. total of 7,500,000 cases, as they could have done, the quantity is to be regulated to 4,500,000 rases. It was quite understood that it would be folly to curtail our own exports to the British market, leaving the way open for other competitors. English fruit growers are now co-operating with the High Commissioners of Australia and New Zealand with a view to inducing the British Government to place some restrictions on foreign fruits, so that Great Britain can try out a marketing policy, either restricting quantities or increasing duties.

"We are rather hopeful of success along these lines, if not immediately, then in the not distant future.

"This movement in orderly marketing of Empire apples is likely to be adopted in the marketing of citrus fruits, and a conference of citrus fruit growers is likely to be held in London in the course of the next few months."

North and South America. Discussing North and South American outlets, Mr. Benzies said he did not think much could be done in the United States, but New Zealand fruit for New York would have the dual advantages of fresh fruit, as against stored American, and of cheaper freight by sea than carriage of fruit by rail from west to east of North America. The apple crop in Eastern Canada had suffered much from frost, and perhaps some 30,000 to 60,000 cases could be taken this season, as the fruit would be going on to a bare market.

Questioned about South America, Mr. Benzies said: "I think Argentina is finished as a market for New Zealand fruit.

"What we have* to consider is the competition of Argentine fruit in British markets. This is not at all an unlikely contingency. There is hope for us in the Uruguay market, but the duty of 6/ a case is a big hurdle to overcome. We have a limited market, for the people have abundance of fruit—orangts and bananas, principally—of their own, and besides they can, and do, draw upon the United States for supplies of apples. Chila grows a fair amount of fruit, and has sent soir.e small parcels of apples to the United Kingdom.

"Reverting to the Argentine: Tliey are making a bid for an export trad-i, and I should think that in three to five years they will have 3,000.000 boxes of roars available for export to England. They have the services of American experts in tho planting, production and packing of fruit. I myself saw in the Argentine a packing 6>ved bigger than anything of the kind we have in New Zealand, and the most up-to-date methods are used in the industry. True, they have the disadvantages of poor rainfall in some districts and visitations by locusts in others. But one has no idea except bv seeing for oneself of the great productive potentialities of the Argentine." Exchange difficulties in trading with all South American countries, Mr. Berizies added, must be taken into account, aiid they were rather formidable.