NEW EXPORT FOR NEW ZEALAND

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28951, 20 July 1959, Page 16

NEW EXPORT FOR NEW ZEALAND

Chinese Gooseberries For Britain

A small export trade in subtropical fruits has been built up through sending Chinese gooseberries to Britain and Australia, but attempts to export tree tomatoes have been abandoned because of unsatisfactory results on the Australian market The fruits, the two main subtropical fruits, excluding citrus, grown in New Zealand, increased in numbers during the last five years—tree tomatoes from 70,583 shrubs to 108.308, and Chinese gooseberry vines from 12.516 to 16.328, the annual report of the Department of Agriculture states Passionfruit vines remain practically static, while .feijoa shrubs declined from 8997 to 7599. Growers of Chinese gooseberries were looking to cool storage, canning and export to help to spread their marketing and to avoid seasonal surpluses, the report says. Canning of Chinese gooseberries will be attempted on a Commercial scale for the first time this season. About 50 tons are expected to be processed, and if the venture is successful, the department says it could have far-reaching effects on expanded production About 20 tons of the gooseberries were exported to Britain and Australia in 1958. and as a result of improved handling and packing treatments, returns were very satisfactory, especially in Britain. It was hoped to export 25 to 30 tons of the fruit this year, when most would be concentrated on the English market.