POTATO SUPPLIES

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27403, 16 July 1954, Page 13

POTATO SUPPLIES

“Apparent Shortage” In North STATEMENT BY GROWERS’ SECRETARY (From Our Own Reporter) WAIMATE, July 15. The North Island potato market presents a puzzle to growers, according to the secretary of the Waimate Potato Growers’ Association (Mr R. A. Hayman). Quite a number of reports had been received that supplies were not freely available to consumers, in spite of a statement attributed to a Wellington merchant about a glut in some centres. This statement had not been fully accepted by growers in view of information received by the association through other/channels, he said. “People who have visited the North Island, and visitors who are resident in the north; say that in certain centres there is an apparent shortage of potatoes, or that sales are not being pushed by retailers,” Mr Hayman said. “Quite a number of these stories have been brought to our knowledge—so many that they cannot be discounted as idle rumours. Some people from the North Island seem quite surprised to learn that there has been a good crop, and that potatoes are plentiful here?’ Mr Hayman quoted a statement by one man who had declared: “We don t seem to get more than something like a rationed supply.” Various reports had indicated that potatoes were not more freely available than in the recent years when there were short crops. These statements were too frequent to ignore; but the position was most puzzling to local growers. An executive of the Potato Board (Mr M. Rousham, of Christchurch), had been present at a recent meeting of growers convened by the association, when the marketing position was discussed. Mr Hayman said: “The board is undertaking an advertising campaign to stimulate the sale of potatoes in the North Island, and I anticipate that it will be commenced shortly?’

ADEQUATE SUPPLY EXPECTED STATEMENT BY BOARD CHAIRMAN Provided there is no disastrous weather or disease, the New Zealand Potato Board is confident that there will be an adequate supply of potatoes this year. The chairman of the board (Mr R. G. Robinson) says in the annual report that to date the contract area in the South Island has increased by 3343 acres over the area contracted for 1952, and by 5353 acres over the area contracted for in 1951. Mr Robinson says that for the first time since the 1947-48 season the total acreage planted in potatoes increased, and the acreage planted under contract to the board was also bigger. Last season 18,305 acres of potatoes were planted, compared with 21,887 acres in 1947-48. The figures for the other season were 18,940 acres in 1948-49, 17,785 in 1949-50, 16,804 in 1950- and 13,276 in 1951-52. In Canterbury the target contract acreage had remained constant at 10,700 acres since the 1949-50 season, said Mr Robinson. The actual contract acreage last season had been 7011 acres, an increase of 1725 acres on the 1951- figure.