Rise In Apple Output Sets Problem For Board

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29907, 22 August 1962, Page 8

Rise In Apple Output Sets Problem For Board

(Neu) Zealand Press Association)

NELSON. August 21. Estimates that the New Zealand crop of apples and pears was likely to rise to between 8 million and 9 million cases a year by 1972 would present very real marketing problems, said Mr J. H. Parker, chairman of the New Zealand Apple and Pear Marketing Board, at the Nelson provincial conference of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Federation today Mr Parker was speaking after the Waimea branch had put forward a remit for the Dominion conference asking that the desirability be considered of discouraging the planting of new orchards. The remit was defeated Mr Parker said the board started in 1949 with a crop of 2.500.000 cases and it went ahead with a programme which included building and other facilities, including cold storage. "Last year we handled 4 million cases; this year it is 5 million cases, while another 600.000 cases were sold direct to consumers." he said. "For New Zealand as a whole, it is estimated that the apple and pear crop will go from the present 5 million cases to 7 million in five years' time, and by 1972 the crop is expected to be 8 million, plus those sold direct,” he said.

“In Nelson alone you produced about 2.400.000 cases this year In five years it is estimated that you will have increased by half-a-million. and in 10 years by another half-a-million. bringing your production to 3.400,000" The figures meant that the board would have to handle something between 8 million and 9 million cases in 10 years. “I can assure you that it is going to take some handling," he said. There did not seem to have been any let-up at all since the board started. The crop had gone up consistently, particularly in Nelson. The apple

crop was estimated to increase by 50 per cent, in the next 10 years, while the increase in pears was expected to .be 100 per cent. The substantial increases already achieved w’ere not due to new plantings at all, they were due to increased production on existing orchards. "Probably the New Zealand grower, as tar as fruit-growing is concerned, is the most efficient in the world." said Mr Parker

The Federation president, Mr Frank Archer, said he personally felt there was not a commercial grower who had not sized up the situation about new acreage. He had a fairly good idea of the position. “His common sense will guide him on whether to plant another 10 acres or not,” he said.