Overseas Prospects For N.Z. Apples And Pears

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29734, 30 January 1962, Page 21

Overseas Prospects For N.Z. Apples And Pears

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, Jan. 29

Prospects on overseas markets for the sale of apples and pears appeared to be bright because of -the light crop in the United Kingdom and in Continental countries, the chairman of the New Zealand Apple and Pear Marketing Board (Mr J. H. Parker) said today. The carry-over into New Zealand's season should be considerably less than it was in 1961. High prices were being obtained in the United Kingdom for apples from Canada and the United States, he said. “It is expected that the quantity of fruit exported byNew Zealand will be above last year's record,” added Mr Parker. “Plans have alreadybeen made for exports to 28 markets, including a new market in Texas and the further development of markets opened recently in Peru, Caracas, Vancouver, Aruba, and British Guiana. “The visit by board representatives to North and South America and the Caribbean towards the end of last year is expected to increase exports to these areas from 130,000 cases last year to 210,000 cases.”

Mr Parker said that harvesting this year had started early, and the season in both Nelson and Hawke's Bay was running about 10 days earlier than normal. To last Friday 110.000 cases of apples and pears had been re-

ceived, compared with 40.000 to the same date last year. The Nelson crop was expected to be down by 120.000 cases on last year, but this had been more than compensated for by an estimated increase of 400,000 in Hawke’s Bay. "The board is expecting record receipts, and the present estimate is 4,325,000 cases of apples and pears, which is nearly 300,000 more than last year. Although the apple crop is well up, pear receipts are expected to be about 50,000 cases down on last year. ‘‘During the coming season the board’s new apple cannery at Stoke is expected to handle about 250,000 bushels for processing into juices, pie filler, apple sauce, and other products. As a result a great deal of lower-grade fruit which previously has been marketed in fresh form will now be put int.o cans thus raising the general quality of apples going on to the local market."