Industry hurt by shortage

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33964, 3 October 1975, Page 8

Industry hurt by shortage

(By

TERRY McGOVERNE)

The fruit and vegetable industry is in considerable turmoil at present both on the fresh and processing sides.

The harsh winter throughout New Zealand and the slowness of spring to bring on new' growth has reduced supplies of fresh vegetables at all major markets. But the processing side of the industry is in dire straits. The stock carry-over in many lines is so high that about §500,000 worth of vegetables normally required for processing will not be planted this season. According to the “New Zealand Commercial Grower,” this produce, if grown, would have been worth S2m to S3m in overseas exchange to New Zealand. The journal says the record stock carry-over is the result of liquidity problems right through the distribution chain, and processors are seriously concerned about very slim export orders for next season. Home freezing The dilemma now facing the processors is whether to take the risk of over-stocking again, or to play safe and cut contract acreage. The only concern the Christchurch housewife has in this puzzle is what she is likely to pay for processed vegetables next year. The apparent ease with which the process industry, now virtually a monopoly, can get price increases, suggests that prices will be higher than ever next year, and this may drive the housewife w'ho relies on frozen or canned vegetables to return to the fresh market;

There is ample evidence that the judicious buying of vegetables in times of abundance and freezing them at home will produce rewards in winter, and it will not surprise many if the demand for

I home freezing units keeps | pace with the demand for [colour television sets this I summer. I Roots reasonable Meanwhile, the task of seicuring fresh vegetables for ■ the table at a fair price is easy for root crops but not so easy for greens, going by yesterday’s market prices. Carrots, selling at 22c per lb last week tumbled yesterday to 3c to 10c per lb and parsnips were down to 10c to 15c per lb. Swedes shot up to 10c per lb compared with the fairly static price of about 3c per lb most of the winter. Pumpkins have also jumped considerably, and sold yesterday at 10c per lb. Savoy cabbages brought 30c each, springs 20c to 25c and drumheads 35c to 60c. One retailer bemoaned the fact that he had to pay more than 70c a head for a few bags of Pukekohe cabbages left over from Thursday’s sale. There was a fair supply of cauliflowers, but the price was firm at 30c to 50c each. Local celery, and not much of it at that, brought 65c a stick. Even silver beet, which went for as little as 3c per lb last week, brought 10c to 20c per lb yesterday. In the salad lines, tomatoes brought 80c per lb. radishes $3 a dozen bunches, spring onions §1.20 to $2.80 a dozen bunches, cucumbers from 45c to $1 each, asparagus 40c to 57c a bunch, parsley from 10c to 30c a bunch, and lettuces 20c to 32c each. Bean sprouts brought 33c per lb and capsicums $1 per lb. Mushrooms commanded 70c to 80c per lb, yams 20c per lb, and rhubarb 55c a bunch. The supply of citrus fruit at present is restricted to North Island tangelos, selling at 25c to 30c per lb. The markets expect the supply of these to continue spasmodically about tw’o months.

More than 250 lots of ■ antiques and fine art — Victorian and Georgian furniture, ceramics, silver, glassware, jewellery, weapons, coins and paintings — were ar :■ tioned at the Te Kura Lounge yesterday. The auctioneer was Mr N. H. McCrostie, and the items were sold for several legal firms, and private clients. The auction took about three hours, and was attended by about 300 people. Bidding was steady. The top price of the sale was $l5OO for a Sidney L. Thompson oil painting, “A Breezy Day, Concameau.” The second

highest price was also for an oil painting, J. H. Scheltema’s “At the Water Hole.” In the furniture section, in which 52 pieces were offered, a mid-19th century figured burr walnut oval 100 table, in perfect condition, was sold for $1225. A serpentinefronted lady’s Davenport, also in burr walnut, was sold for $B5O. In the ceramics earthenware section, a tall pair of early Lambeth Doulton stoneware vases were sold for $575, and in the sterling silver, two George 111 heavy quality ladles were sold for §6O each.