MARKETING OF POTATOES

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28128, 17 November 1956, Page 13

MARKETING OF POTATOES

MORE CARE URGED IN BAGGING

N.Z. SYSTEM SAID TO BE ANTIQUATED

“The advent of Californian potatoes has afforded an excellent example of how potatoes are marketed in the United States and Canada, and can be taken as an example of what we should aim at in New Zealand.” says the journal of the New Zealand Fruit and Produce Merchants’ and Auctioneers’ Federation. “Our present system is antiquated and so wasteful that wholesalers, retailers, and the public all complain—not at the quality of New Zealand grown potatoes, but at the condition in which they are marketed. “It is intolerable that the best grade of main-crop potatoes should often include a large proportion of potatoes which are almost unmarketable because of scabs, forkmarks, bruising, and disease beside soil carelessly or even a stone sometimes finds its way as far as the retailer before discovery,” the journal says. “There are so-called graders who are supposed to inspect potatoes being railed or shipped, but it is hard to see that this work is being properly carried out.

“This is not so in America. In that country potatoes are packed in processing sheds, and only the best quality pass through the retail trade for public consumption.” The journal says that it is a waste of time and money to pack anything other than first grade potatoes for marketing. Costs are incurred for sacks arid cartage: there are heavy freights and handling charges. The inclusion of soil, inferior and misshapen potatoes is an economic waste which increases the cost to the consumer and benefits nobody.

“New grading standards and regulations are badly needed in New Zealand.” the journal says. “The experiences this year should force the issue. Inspectors independent of trade —such as are used within the United States system—are essential to maintain the standard of quality and bagging once it has been determined. Merchants, growers, the Potato Board, and the Government have a duty to perform: the opportunity is here now to set our house in order.”