DEPRESSED APPLE TRADE

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 101, 30 April 1923, Page 7

DEPRESSED APPLE TRADE

WERE SHIPMENTS MADE TOO

EARLY?

(UNITED FRES3 ASSOCIATION.—CWTMW.>

(AUSTRALIAN . DEW 2EALAK& CABU ASSOCIATION.)

LONDON, 28th April. The apple trade does not show any improvement. Prices in London, Liverpool, and Hull are equally disappointing. The only apples realising above 10s per case are Cleopatras, Dunns, ant) occasionally some Coxa. A large proportion of'the apples are making 6s .to Bs, and some 8s 6d to 9a 6d. One of the largest importers estimates the cost of landing apples here at fully 10s per cuse, so the present prices represent a serious loss to shippers. Apparently the selling price of apples has got back to the pre-war level, while the coats, charges, freights, etc., are almost' double the pre-war. , "

Importers are complaining bitterly of the poor quality of the Tasmania:* apples, of which many aye immature and rotted, comparing most unfavourably wjth Oregon and Washington New. towns, of which considerable quantities are still arriving. Some are rather wasty, but good lots are selling readily at 8s 3d to 13s per case. One Liverpool importer reports that in his opinion Tasmanian shipment commenced much too early, and urges the Government to prevent such early shipment in future, if supplies of Americans continue so late in the season.

Many: early Tasmanian varieties ought not to be shipped, for obviously while good Americans are available there is little chance of immature Ribatons and Alexanders fetching remunerative prices. Although wholesale prices are so unsatisfactory, some shopkeepers are asking exorbitant prices. One large West End store in its weekly price-list offe>« Australian Jonathans by the case at 27s 6d to 28s 6d. Importers regard this price as outrageous, and some of them are protesting to the managers.of stores. Tho Surrey's Tasmanian apples were landed at. Liverpool. Cleopatras, 9s 6d to 12s; Woreestere, 6s 9d to 10s; Afriatons, 6b 3d to 9s 6d; others, 6s to 9s 3d.