EXPORT OF FRUIT

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22459, 21 July 1938, Page 18

EXPORT OF FRUIT

CONTROL BOARD'S OPERATIONS CHAIRMAN'S ADDRESS TO CANTERBURY GROWERS . A review' of the operations of the New Zealand Fruit Export Control Board for the year ended December 31, 1937, and the marketing period up to May 31, IS3S, was given by the chairman, Mr H, E. Stephens, of Nelson,' who presided at the annual meeting- of Canterbury fruit exporters yesterday. The first matter of importance, Mr Stephens said, was that Otago had now come into the Control Board. Last year a petition had been taken round among Otago growers and the requisite number of signatures obtained. "The export this year had been a fairly large one," he said, "but it is still short of our record season. Canterbury exported 34,000 cases of apples and .1500 cases of pears. Although fairly satisfactory, these figures are a long way below what Canterbury can do. When I was here last year I advised growers to go" more for export, and I am pleased to say that the quantities put forward for export increased rapidly after the beginning of the season. • "Approximately 300,000 cases, were exported to the Continent this year as the result -of satisfactory negotiations being made for sales by the Hon. W. Nash, who has" been assisted by Mr G. W. Clinkard, the New Zealand Trade Commissioner in Europe, and the' Fruit Board's London manager, Mr H. Turner. The whole of the fruit sold to the Continent realised a shade above the guarantee. The quantity of fruit exported to Canada has been increased to 98,000 cases and 38.000 to Brazil. We have been shut out of the Argentine market principally because the Dominion supplied this country with several thousand young trees, and now the Argentine is one of our keen competitors. Eastern Markets "The Eastern markets have been extended slightly this year, but shipping problems present a big difficulty. Few vessels sail from New Zealand ports for the East, and it is very difficult to compete with Australia for this reason- / -L. » "About 21.000 cases were keot back in New Zealand this year. These included a large quantity of Doughertys, with which growers rushed the market, and, as it was not desirable to retain these for local markets, .some Cox's Orange and Delicious were held back in their place. A quantity of largesized Stunners was also retained, as there is a much better market for thes=e in New Zealand. , , , "The Delicious is not a good keeping variety, and trouble has been experienced with core rot more this year than previously. The same applies to a large proportion of other fruit, mainly because of the season. Continual rain produced a soft and sappy fruit, which quickly showed waste, and the fruit on arrival at its destination was not the 1 best. Because of this the pool prices will not appear very satisfactory. Shipping Problems "As New Zealand is so far away from its main markets it is necessary to make shipping arrangements far in advance of actual requirements. It is indeed a difficult matter to arrange shipping itineraries to synchronise with the uncertain programme of fruit harvesting. Growers can help the board more by supplying revision figures from month to month. By January growers can form a general idea of the coming crop, but it depends almost entirely on the subsequent weather conditions whether the fruit will be large or small, early or late, clean or blemished. The main trouble is with the grower who reserves a considerable amount of space at the start of the season and then is not sure if he can fill it. In this way, he is penalising his neighbour. It is this type that we will have to take more stringent measures with. Considering rising costs, the expenses this year were lower than in previous years, and this was worthy of favourable comment. Mr Stephens said. The expenses for last year totalled £733b llssd, and the growers were not required to contribute the whole amount. The chairman mentioned that a considerable amount of research work had been done, particularly in the production of apple juice. This product was outside the scope of the board, but it was hoped that by next year it would become a big industry and relieve the market of a good proportion of the lower grade fruit. Export Guarantee Increased To cover production costs the Government export guarantee had been increased from 10s 6d to lis, the increase applying to the 1938 season. In addition to the export guarantee the Government gave special financial assistance tor fruit sold on the local market. For the U3B season the local guarantee was increased to 5s 2d f.o.b. and f.o.r. in accord with the increase in the export guarantee, concluded Mr Stephens. / Delegates Appointed Messrs J. W. Macleod and E. A. Stead were appointed delegates to represent Canterbury at the annual export con-

ference which will be held at WellffiSton early next month. The meeting opposed a remit froc Nelson asking that consideration K given to amending the Fruit Contro Act. with a view to the setting up ca New Zealand Fruit Board to aea* with the marketing of apples and pea-* on the export and local markets. The following remit from Motuesj* was left to the discretion of the gates, the consensus of opinion that it might have serious repereusions: "That in view of the incr*a» and variation in production and harv*£ costs of export fruit, together wttn i* fact that up to the present certas growers receive no subsidy from w= urged to place the guarantee on more equitable basis." The meeting decided to support o» following remits: "That pending > ket to absorb at a payable price »«** now shut out from export, the I* l Board make no further restrictions \» size, varieties, and grades for eX^zj 0 "That the Government be tffgeoj^ ing to good grade in view of ti that there is a better sale for jmroieHMs ket grades for pith, fruit.