BIG EXPORT CROP.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 268, 12 November 1935, Page 17

BIG EXPORT CROP.

FRUIT PROSPECTS.

GROWERS FACE PROBLEM.

PROBABILITY OF STTRJPI/ITS.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, this day. New Zealand's fruit export industry, which, annually produces an income from overseas of at least £ 600,000/ is likely to be faced with the problem of marketing an unusually heavy crop this eeason. Continental outlets are limited and mostly barred, while there is a regulated import into Britain. Crop prospects can now be made with some certainty, and they suggest that local marketing of a large surplus over the quantity absorbed by export must be handled in a national way. The coming season's crop of apples and peare is expected to reach a total of between 1,600,000 and 1,750,000 cases, which will include a much larger proportion for export than during last season, when the total dropped heavily to well below a million cases. This season, in contrast, Nelson district alone anticipates that it will have one and a quarter million cases of export quality available, unless late frosts in November interfere with the crop in sight. Nelson's export last season totalled just over haif a million cases. In Hawke'e Bay, which last year sent away 238,000 cases, the growers report a good crop, which they estimate a£ about 250,000 cases or more. In the Auckland Province, where climatic conditions make it more difficult to control pests, much depends on the effectiveness of control measures, but if success is achieved the Auckland growers expect to market at least 150,000 cases, though their total export last season wae only 58,820 cases. Canterbury's export of fruit is modeet, and ite highest figure, reached in 1933, was 53,000 cases. This season crop prospects warrant the forecast that Canterbury will make a record export of at least 100,000 cases. Fruit production runs in cycles, for orchardiste are well acquainted with the fact that after a period of heavy bearing the trees take a rest. They expect this in Otago, where, after a fairly heavy crop last season, the coming production is not likely to be 6o large, though it may reach 130,000 cases.

Market Prospects Overseas. As export absorbs about 50 per cent of the Dominion's apple and pear crop, a bumper season which the growers are facing makes the local marketing conditions a factor of great importance. Thie is being discussed with the object of formulating an improved marketing scheme, involving careful consideration of supplies so that gluts will, if possible, be avoided, and every part of New Zealand kept well stocked with the varieties mostly favoured in the varioue districts. New Zealand's fruit export to Britain is now subject to regulation of a voluntary type managed by the fruit producers of the Empire. Serious glut conditions in that market in i '33 led to the constitution of the Empire Apple and Pear Council, on which there are representatives, not only of the Empire fruit producers, but the English fruitgrowers' organisations. This council endeavours to secure an orderly marketing of adequate supplies in the Home market, and its work will be greatly facilitated by Canada's decision to set up a Fruit Control Board which will regulate the quantity of export shipments. Australia and New Zealand, at the request of the council, conferred with the object of making mutual arrangements for quantitative regulation and small crops last season practically made any arrangement unnecessary. However, both countries arc now facing a problem of excessive export surpluses, and New Zealand growers, recognising the difficulty of making restrictions in respect to quantities, have decided on a method of qualitative restriction. Special attention will be paid to market requirements in Britain, and the export will be so regulated as to produce the largest possible export income. Britain must remain the chief outlet, for Continental countries generally are imposing severe limitations not only through tariffs, but the control of credits for overseas purchases.

Inquiries From Germany. There has been an improvement in the German outlook, giving more promise of business in New Zealand fruit. Last season the German Government required all foreign exchange to be made available to it for purchase of essentials, and fruit was not included in that category. But there appears to have been some relaxation of this attitude, information having reached New Zealand that German, exporters will be able to apply some portion of their overseas credits to the purchase of fruit. Conditions in the English market are considered to be showing improvement, with every prospect of maintaining last season's position, which was much better than in any of the preceding four or five years.