‘Million-dollar N.Z. melons’

Press, 27 February 1986, Page 21

‘Million-dollar N.Z. melons’

Turners and Growers Exports Ltd, has joined forces with its importer, the Union Company, to grow different types of melon in New Zealand especially for the Japanese market.

“Melons will be a million-dollar export earner for New Zealand this season, there is potential for our markets to take greater quantities in the future,” the general manager, Mr Michael Evans, said. “By offering the Japanese market exactly what

it wants, and going to considerable lengths to achieve the quality it demands, we will further enhance New Zealand’s reputation as a fruit growing nation." Three Japanese techni-

cians have been brought to New Zealand to work on the special project. They have been involved in work from the germination of plants at the growers’ research station in Mangere, through to harvesting and packing. “This 100 per cent Japanese involvement

means we produce exactly what the market requires,” said Mr Evans. The fruit is being grown at the Agrisystems International, Ltd, property in South Auckland, where six hectares are devoted to the crop. All melons are grown under hothouse or cloche structures.

Three different types of melon are being grown. These include a large, sweet, red-fleshed variety of water melon, a Queen or Orange melon — an orange-fleshed melon with a green netted type of

exterior and the Aris Musk melon, which has sweet green flesh and an even green-netted exterior.

The growers plan to send more than three tonnes of the popular musk melon to Japan this year, while total exports of water and Queen melons are likely to be almost 200 tonnes. The first water melons to be sea-freighted had already arrived in Japan in perfect condition, Mr Evans said.