Prospects for blueberries

Press, 30 August 1978, Page 3

Prospects for blueberries

PA Tauranga Prospects look good for the infant New Zealand blueberry industry, according to an American expert. Doctor Paul Eck was the main speaker at a seminar on blueberries in Tauranga yesterday run by the Berry Fruitgrowers’ Federation and the Ministry of Agriculture. Dr Eck said that he had already seen flourishing blueberry plantings in New Zealand; research had been going on for several years, providing a good basis on which the industry could grow. Mr Eric Toleman, for the Ministry, said that the potential for export was very good provided New Zealand developed a reputation for consistently high-quality fruit.

“To achieve this it will obviously be necessary, as for our other exports,, to establish grading standards. “We must offer fruit of a consistent standard; and the simplest way to do this is to grow those varieties whose characteristics are known and acceptable,” he said. “While I am impressed by the way many prospective growers are thoroughly investigating what is involved in commercial blueberry growing, I am also concerned that the approach of some is rather too casual. “The investment involved is substantial, and to protect this it is essential to avoid some of the basic mistakes being made as a result of insufficient preliminary work,” Mr Toleman said.