POTATO GLUT
New Types Blamed
(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, Feb. 12. Potato prices on the Auckland city markets are the lowest since the depression more than 30 years ago The slump has come after a year of low vegetable prices which led growers to switch to new high-producing potatoes in the hope of boosting their incomes. Many were reported tonight to be in quite serious 'financial trouble.
Bags averaging from 631 b to 651 b each have been auctioned foi between 5s and 7s. Some have sold as low as 2s 6d a bag—not much more than a jd a pound. Only local potatoes are reaching the markets because the low prices have frightened oft the Rangitikei and Manawatu growers. Apart from a favourable growing season, Mr A.. B. Donald, a produce merchant. blamed two fairly new varieties of potatoes—Tahi arid Rua—for causing the glut. These plants were developed at the Crop Research Division at Lincoln and can produce up to 20 tons to the acre in market gardens. Single potatoes can weigh two pounds
Mr Donald said merchants were trying to get growers to plant better quality potatoes instead of going in for quantity in order to rehabilitate the market.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30364, 13 February 1964, Page 12
Word Count
201POTATO GLUT Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30364, 13 February 1964, Page 12
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