Increased Potato Surplus Payment

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31327, 25 March 1967, Page 12

Increased Potato Surplus Payment

A payment of £138.595 for a surplus of 11,641 tons was made to growers by the Potato Board for the 1965-1966 season.

The previous year £108,919 was paid on 9200 tons. In contrast with the previous year, when almost 11,500 tons were exported, overseas trade last year was very small —350 tons were shipped to Hong Kong, in addition to the Pacific Islands trade. There were no sales to Australia. The season’s surplus has been reduced by 650 tons sold since assessment. Last year’s was the sixth consecutive surplus, although in one year it amounted to only eight tons. The potato trade does not expect a large surplus this coming year, as crops have not been as high yielding, particularly in the North Island where some districts were flooded in the growing season. The acreage this season Is estimated to be down 2000 acres, the decline being mainly in the South Island. Whereas some growers lost money on crops last season, prices at this stage are reported to be

£5 to £6 a ton better than a year ago. If there is a surplus for the 1966-67 season, the payout will be £8 a ton—a reduction of £2—except for Suttons, King Edward and Katahdin which, at £l4 for Sutton and King Edward, and £l3 for Katahdin, will be the same. In the North Island the payment will be £l6 and £l5. The revision in the pay-out rates is designed to encourage the growing of a type of potato preferred by buyers.