GOOD YEAR FOR FRUITGROWERS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29270, 30 July 1960, Page 15

GOOD YEAR FOR FRUITGROWERS

Satisfactory Season Reported District reports from fruitgrowers during the last season had shown an almost complete absence of any widespread trouble, according to the annual report of the directors of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Federation, Ltd. The report will be presented at the forty-fourth annual conference of the federation, to be held in September. It was difficult to form a picture of crop conditions covering ’all districts, said the report. The only apparent pattern concerned pears, and crops in all districts had yielded less than last year. Stone fruit crops in Auckland were considerably above average. The apple crop was good and above average in both quality and quantity. In spite of poorer weather and frequent rain, the Hawke’s Bay apple harvest was almost a record and the district had an average crop of peaches. Plums were light. Rain had caused cracking in early apples, and brown rot in late peaches, with resultant loss. Market realisations for peaches had been disappointing. Plum prices, though slightly higher than last year, had not reflected the light crop. The apple harvest in Nelson was reduced but not to the extent expected. The district had experienced dry weather early in the growing season. Nelson’s stone fruit yield was only moderate, owing to a severe frost, and a drought in November and December. Marlborough again experienced hot, dry conditions, but the apple crop was not adversely affected. Stone fruit crops were heavy and prices were good. In Canterbury, stone fruit crops were heavy and of good quality. The above-average crops compensated for slightly lower prices. The pip fruit crop was clean and of good quality, with above-aver-age quantity. The season was generally satisfactory in all districts.