Exports Of Asparagus

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31627, 13 March 1968, Page 19

Exports Of Asparagus

A Hawke’s Bay exporter of asparagus no longer gives prominence to the country of origin of his produce because of the bad reputation other New Zealand exporters are giving the item.

Mr E. A. P. Gibbons, of Havelock North, used to have printed boldly on his export labels: “Grown In New Zealand.” Now he uses small, insignificant print. The latest issue of “Export News," published by the Department of Industries and Commerce, says Mr Gibbons is one of the most experienced and proficient export-

ers of asparagus in New Zealand. He has built up a thriving export trade through keen attention to freshness, quality, grading and presentation. “Similarly high standards are not adhered to by all exporters in the business,” the magazine says.

“The shipment by careless producers of asparagus of poor quality or in poor condition to overseas markets has several times threatened to put an end to the trade entirely."

Mr Gibbons claims he could double supplies to Britain but says that supplying the market fully would be

uneconomic. A shortage, even a created one, has to exist for the exporter to meet the high costs involved in such a trade and still make a profit. So far he has exported asparagus to Hong Kong, Japan, Australia and Britain. Last season he supplied 90 per cent of Britain’s imported asparagus and broke into the French market. He is confident New Zealand growers can establish an international reputation for high quality produce. He says that one ton of top quality produce on the export market is worth more than three tons of indifferent quality in terms of overseas exchange.