CITRUS FRUITS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 185, 6 August 1936, Page 4

CITRUS FRUITS.

ORANGES AT 3D EACH. The Auckland Council of the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture reports that taking no account of the "backyard" plantings, 1875 out of the 13,000 acres most suitable for citrus have been cultivated —1250 in lemons, 500 in oranges and 125 in grapefruit. It is estimated that the production capacity is about 400,000 cases of lemons, 200,000 cases of oranges and 50,000 cases of grapefruit. Lie cords show there were 3000 registered citrus growers in 1934, and the capital invested totalled about £500,000. - "Xcw Zealand is entirely self-supporting in the matter of lemons, but imports valued at £10,000 annually reduce the amount purchasable from the Dominion grower by 50,000 cases," the report states. "The country is used as a dumping ground. Orange imports were £127,362 in 1931 and £82,550 for nine months last year, and most of the fruit is retailed at 3d each. Grapefruit worth £5000 is imported each year, and sells from 6d to 9d each. Oranges could be grown in New Zealand to retail at Id to IVzd each, and grapefruit at Id to 2d each."