Japan likely to cope with extra kiwifruit

Press, 18 February 1986, Page 36

Japan likely to cope with extra kiwifruit

NZJN Tokyo Japanese consumers should comfortably eat an extra million trays of kiwifruit this year from New Zealand’s rising production.

This will raise imports from New Zealand above eight million trays (about 28,000 tonnes), almost twice as much as two years ago, and should prevent serious downward pressure on export prices. However, a Tokyo marketing expert warned yesterday the Japanese appetite should not be seen as unlimited. “New Zealand must take care this season both at the consumer end and in troublefree shipping and distribution.”

His warning follows the big cherry disaster last month. The first attempt at shipping cherries to Japan collapsed a few weeks after the off-season fruit appeared in Tokyo shops. New Zealand managed to export only 18 tonnes of cherries, although ship-

ments of up to 100 tonnes were planned. Importers stopped the trade after Christmas because of the exceedingly poor quality of the fruit. The New Zealand Embassy in Tokyo has prepared a report on the cherry debacle as a guide to future export attempts. Another expected export disaster, with onions, appears to have been averted. The first of the New Zealand onions have sold in Tokyo markets — at rather poor prices — in spite of Japanese warnings to a visiting New Zealand growers’ delegation last October that Japan was overstocked and imports would not be permitted. The best news for New Zealand horticulturists is that the big moneyspinner, kiwifruit, is viewed positively by importers. Japan absorbed about seven million trays in the season ended in November, up from 4.5 million

the previous year. In spite of fears of shipping delays, the receival and distribution systems held up fairly, well under the boom.

Reports from Japanese growing areas that production will rise 15 per cent in the new season are being treated calmly by Japanese importers. They say that if Japanese growers’ usual share of about one-third is maintained, the market should absorb an extra million trays. Japanese farmers are increasing their production. This fruit is now meeting the market, and small quantities (two to five containers) are being exported.

Market observers warn, however, that New Zealand’s added supplies will put pressure on warehousing, distribution and marketing facilities and that these will have to be reviewed before first shipments reach Japan.

—Copyright, N.Z. Japan News.