RAIN TOO LATE FOR POTATO CROP

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30393, 18 March 1964, Page 12

RAIN TOO LATE FOR POTATO CROP

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, March 17. The recent rains in Canterbury were too late to benefit the majority of the potato crops, said Mr T. Munday, president of the New Zealand Potato Growers Federation in a supplied statement This situation was apparent in his own and other crops he had seen and was confirmed by other growers from Mid-Canterbury and South Canterbury who had visited a field day recently in Belfast he said. Chirstchurch markets were well supplied at present with prices reasonable to both growers and consumers, but there was no glut. Digging was not yet in full swing but as many of the crops had died down before the rain growers had been lifting the headlands and the results were disappointing.

Mr Munday said that although North Island markets were reported to be oversupplied at present and were not expected to require the usual quantities from the South Island this would be just as well, as those in a position to know felt that all supplies available would be required before the end of the year.

Present indications were that the majority of South Island crops would be con-

siderably lighter than they were last year and greater care of any crops in the North Island which were suitable for storage would be required, said Mr Munday.