AUSTRALIAN FRUIT TRADE.

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 5, 6 July 1928, Page 12

AUSTRALIAN FRUIT TRADE.

Mr. J. M. Ward, Superintendent of Horticulture, in Victoria, is the authority for the following figures relating to the fruit industry in Australia. Its products may be divided into four sections—fresh fruits, canned fruits, dried fruits,', jams, and preserves. The area under fruit in Australia has increased from 267,562 acres in 1912-13 to 387,042 acres in 1925-26. Its development is also illustrated in the following figures of production and export: ■■-•■■ 1912-1913. Production. Exports, lb. Ib. Fresh fruit 584,393,374 64,039,500 Dried fruits ....; 28,163,744 2,460,249 Canned fruits .... 23,838,557 948,560 Jams and jellies . 85,800,929 1,416,114 1925-1926. Production. Exports, lb. lb; Fresh fruit 897,778,374 149,673,100 Dried fruits 87,540,954 55,428,846 Canned fruits .. 61,382,822 16,911,689 Jams and jellies 67,389,000 2,065,243 The annual value of the fruit produced in Australia before it undergoes any treatment whatever is over £12,000,000. The present existence and future expansion of the industry depend upon two things, lower cost of production and a wider market. How to attain these two objectives is the problem o£ the moment.