Year-Round Apple Supply Criticised

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31236, 7 December 1966, Page 3

Year-Round Apple Supply Criticised

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, December 6.

New Zealand was probably the only country in the world which tried to make its apples last for 12 months, and it could not be done, Mr J. C. Bennett, a former president of the Auckland Fruit and Vegetable Association, said today.

Mr Bennett has just returned from a 10-month trip overseas, much of which was spent on the Continent and England. He said the average New Zealand fruit retailer had to try to keep apples going for the months of November and December, and because they should have been disposed of by October the country suffered in comparison with others which could import the necessary fruit. He said that if the Government imported the fruit a saving would probably be made in the long run, taking into

account the present wastage of apples in the two months when retailers had to throw away at least half of every case.

On the whole, however, the average Auckland fruit shop offered a range of fruit and vegetables of much better quality and lower prices than its counterpart in England and the Continent, said Mr Bennett.

Another big advantage was that fruit appeared in New Zealand shops on the same day it was bought, whereas in England and the Continent in many cases it had to be transported long distances.