Some Demand For South Island Potatoes

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30278, 2 November 1963, Page 16

Some Demand For South Island Potatoes

Because of the continued dry conditions in Pukekohe Uie crop of new potatoes, which a few weeks ago supplied much of the North Island market, are almost impossible to dig at present, according to reports from merchants yesterday. This has resulted in a renewed demand from North Island buyers for supplies of main crop South Island potatoes that a few days ago were

virtually unsaleable on the North Island market. Because of the conditions at Pukekohe. the demand for South Island potatoes was quoted yesterday as being about £25 a ton to growers. However, merchants report that the supplies are not plentiful. The overseas inquiries for small seeds continue to be very quiet and some merchants do not think it is likely there will be any increase in the present values. One of the reasons for this is the damp drizzly weather in the Canterbury area during the last week, which has enhanced the prospects of the

forthcoming harvest. Another reason is that there is a considerable amount of small seeds from the last harvest still being dressed. All the dressing plants are working and in some cases it will be February or March of next year before the dressing at some plants is completed.