THE FRUIT MARKET

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 39, 14 August 1926, Page 10

THE FRUIT MARKET

NO GREAT DEMAND

TOO fMUCH INFERIOR FRUIT

SUGGESTED REMEDIES.

The statement in "The Post" yesterday, originating from Auckland, that tho markets are overstocked with Island fruit is borne out to a certain extent by local inquiries. Although in Wellington there is a fairly steady demand for bananas and oranges, the sales are not as big as retailers would like: 'neither is the quality of the fruit all that could be desired. Apples are also a glut on the market, and it is the general opinion of those engaged in selling fruit that an overhauling of the whole system is desirable. As far as Island fruit is concerned, drastic reorganisation of tho shipping is advocated, and bettor control for the marketing of local fruit is also desired. With a view to stimulating trade when there is a glut of apples and other fruit on ,the market, as there is at the present time, it was suggested by one prominent retailer that an extensive advertising campaign should be launched. He pointed out that when a drapery shop, for instance, was overstocked, a sale was advertised, which resulted in a clearance of the goods and a turnover of ready cash. The same should be done with regard to fruit growers, retailers and auctioneers could easily put up a couple of hundred pounds or so for an advertising campaign lasting a month-'or two. "All would reap the benefit eventually, trade would be -brisker, and prices would naturally tend to come down." "People in these days," added the same retailer, "want the best. Inferior, bruised, or damaged fruit will not sell at all. It is all very well to talk about the' difference between what the grower gets and the retailer's price. The grower, we will say, gets one penny a pound; add another penny for freight and eases, and another penny for the rent of shop and overhead expenses; if the retailer then sells for fourpence a pound there is not a great deal left in the way of profit. And it must be remembered that the retailer in selling apples cannot give exact weight: overweight is tho invariable rule. Then, in addition, a vast amount of fruit goes to waste. So what with high rents and overhead changes prices cannot well be lowered unless there is a greater volume of trade, and this can only be brought about by advertising." . ■ ' Commenting on the above suggestion another gentleman intimately connected with the fruit trado said that tho co-operative advertising idea was good, but that it.would be difficult to induce growers, auctioneers, and retailers to combine. Each might be inclined to think that the others were getting more out of it than they were, although, of course, all would benefit, even if each section had an ulterior motive behind its support, "To my mind," he said, "the great need is to keep inferior fruit off the market; that can only be done by stricter control." He added that he would much rather deal with one case of good fruit at 8s than with two of inferior fruit at-ss.

There is at present a fairly steady demand in Wellington for Island fruit, but the quality shipped to New Zealand leaves a great deal to be desired, as does the method of packing. A "Post" representative was given recent examples of oranges, quite fifty per cent, of which were condemned, and of bananas, which were packed in over ,1300 cases, but which should not have occupied more than 800 at the most. On all sides there seem to be complaints about Island fruit, and the suggestion recently made in Auckland that many moro kinds of Island fruits might be with advantage imported into New Zealand, is not received with enthusiasm locally. The general opinion seems to be that before this is feasible there will have to be a great improvement in packing and shipping methods. Good fruit will always sell well and be worth handling, but inferior stuff is not wanted by anyone.

A difference of opinion exists locally as to Island fruit, and when a "Post" representative inquired at the Union Company's office this morning regarding the limitation. of shipments of o-anges from the Cook Islands and the withdrawal of the Island steamer in October, a different tale was told from what was telegraphed from Auckland. The company's representative disclaimed knowledge of what amount of fruit the various ports could absorb, but drew attention to tho excellent quality of the fruit coming from the Cook Islands, as evidenced by the oranges in the shop windows in the town. It was explained that there must be some confusion in the Auckland paragraph as regards the withdrawal of the steamer. Tho facts were that the. orange crop was a seasoual one, and would be over in a month or two, after which there was no cargo to warrant the running of a steamer until the new crop came in about February next. This was an annual circumstance in then trade, and was quite apart from the present discussion as to the limitation of shipments. • .