FRUIT EXPORT TRADE

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 49, 27 August 1923, Page 3

FRUIT EXPORT TRADE

THE PROSPECTS BRIGHTENING.

The new orchard lands in the Nelson district appear to be coming into their own. Tasman and the surrounding Moutere country now holds the position of being the leading apple export centre of- • New Zealand. For the past three seasons' * this new orchard country has contributed more than one-third of the total quantity of apples exported from the Dominion, outdistancing the older orchards of the Nelson province, and shipping as ' much as the other provincial districts of New Zealand put together. The inosfcgratif ying feature of this development is '.'■ . that the fruit has taken a foremost place " on the Home market. Reports 'from leading brokers, confirmed by account sales subsequently received, show ■ that Tasman apples have averaged as good a price, if not better, than any other fruit exported. Although the Home market opened up unfavourably, it is gratifying W report that a good recovery was made • in the latter part of the season. Messrs'. (!. Monro, Ltd., Covent Garden, report junder date 29th June:—"The s.s. Rar- . anga and s.s. Mahia have discharged their cargoes of New Zealand apples, and , the condition of the fruit is very satisfactory, most varieties being in hard, backward condition, and we expect to realise from 16s to 20s. These two steamers are the last expected from New Zealand this season." This news, coupled with the Government's offer of a guarantee of Id per Ib on next year's export, has had tho effect of encouraging growers, who are now busily engagod in preparing for next season's crop. There is a general feeling of confidence that New Zealand apples will continue to hold pride of place on the Home market, and that consequently local growers will be first to make a. satisfactory recovery so soon as the present stressful times in Europt become less acute. ■