COOK ISLANDS ORANGES

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29378, 3 December 1960, Page 7

COOK ISLANDS ORANGES

Canning Factory For Rarotonga (From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, December 1. Economic salvation for the Cook Islands is predicted as a result of the decision to establish a factory at Rarotonga to can orange juice. The factory will go into operation next March. Rarotonga’s large citrus replanting scheme depends entirely on shipping. A cool store was completed recently at Avarua, but supplies have to be lightered to ships some miles offshore. The new industry will reduce losses of produce- and save much storage and cargo space. It may be extended as other fruits, notably Mangaia pineapples, are included. First-year production could absorb thousands of cases of oranges which would otherwise be lost, said Mr C. D. Baker, manager of W. Gregg and Company, Ltd., of Dunedin, which is establishing the factory at a cost of £20,000. Last year the Cook Islands exported 106,951 cases of citrus fruits, mainly oranges, valued at' £ 155,037. Commercial orange production began in November, 1945, under the citrus replanting scheme, but it takes an orange tree some 10 years to get into full poduction. About 800 acres are now planted, mostly in Rarotonga.