LOW RETURNS TO SHIPPERS

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 90, 16 April 1923, Page 7

LOW RETURNS TO SHIPPERS

IMMATURE APPLES AND BITTER

(BJIITED PBESS ASSOCIATION.—COPIRIOHT.)

(AUSIBAUAS . HEW ZEALAMD CABLE ASSOCIATION.)

(Received 16th April, 10 a.m.)

• LONDON, 14th April. The Australian and New Zealand apple season has had a disappointing commencement, prices all round- being unsatisfactory. This is largely due to the fact that moat Australian apples were immature and lacking in colour, while the prevalence of bitter pit, especially in Eibstons, Pippins, and Cox's Orange, took many shillings per case off their value. .

It is particularly unfortunate that these early arrivals should be so poor in quality, as there are still plenty of American apples here, with whicn" the Australian apples compare unfavourably, both as regards appearance and prices realised. The presence of these immature pitted Australian apples on the market has done much to nullify the effect of the advertising propaganda.

Several importers are advocating the postponement of the first shipment, of apples to the last week in February. Undoubtedly another ten days on the trees would be beneficial to the fruit.

One brigt* spot in the 1 apple trade so far, is that there has been no sign ofl ,brown heart, which was the bugbear of last season's shipments.

Five steamers have arrived, but the closest inspection ol the fruit revealed no brown heart in any cargo. Importers attribute .this to the greater care of the shipping companies with regard to the ventilation 01 holds, less close storage, and the use of more dunnage. There is a good demand for applies. Importers expect better prices, if the quality of further arrivals improves;.