SUPPLY OF POTATOES

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 121, 17 February 1944, Page 4

SUPPLY OF POTATOES

Fears Of Shortage Said To Be Groundless POSSIBLE SURPLUS FOR EXPORT

There need 'be no anxiety about 'the supply of potatoes in New Zealand foi the next nine months, it is stated 'by a distributing authority in touch with the situation throughout the Dominion. Fears of a possible potato famine because of the dry weather, he says, are groundless. After civilian requirements have 'been met it is expected that this year there will be a substantial quantity for export. A shortage of potatoes is reported at present, but the long view is that the position will more than stabilize itself; it has improved considerably in the last fortnight. The main South Island crop has yet to come, and there has been a big improvement in the outlook consequent on the rainfall in the south during the last few weeks. This crop will not be available till March or April. The main crop of potatoes in the North Island is reported to be reasonably fair, and is just coining to its peak. There has been some earlier digging in the Rangitikei district, the inducement being. the higher prices obtainable at present.

■New Zealand’s acreage of potatoes this season is cstimaied at 28.000. compared with 21,700 last season. The of the increase is in the South Island. The quality of the potatoes dug in the North Island so far is stated not to have been up to the usual standard, crops being more affected by the dry weather than in the south. That, it is expected, will probably prove to be the case right through.