F.0.B. FRUIT SALES

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 12, 15 January 1929, Page 12

F. 0.8. FRUIT SALES

THE FEDERATION'S VIEW

Tlic receipt of an otl'ci- to purchase fruit for (ho Continent on an f.o.b. basis is dealt with at length in the official organ, of the Fruit Growers' Federation. It is stated that "that attacks on the Fruit Board' are aimed at the. heart o£ the board's policy, and at present centre on the questions of f.o.b. sales, limitation ot the number of brokers selling m the various markets, and interference with the legitimate channels of trade. '. . . . -When f.o.b. sales can be ellected m the interests of growers as a whole, the board will do its utmost to further such sales The board was placed in ofh.ee by growers as a whole, and this being the case, the board Relieves that sales which benefit a few growers, and possibly at the same time may do harm to the fruit o the majority sent on consignment, cannot be approved. , The board has recently been asked to agree to an f.o.b. sale to a firm in Hamburg, and for the above reason has been unable to do so.. There is an additional" complication m this instance, inasmuch as the offer has been received in several places, the board having been asked for its agreement by three difteieut sets of people." „ The federation re-states the boards policy in connection with selling agents. The policy was dictated by: (1) Enhancement of the competition to buy and minimise the competition to sell.(when a large number of firms are all. trying to sell the same thing a "competition to sell hequently comes about, to the detriment ,o growers); (2) limitation-of the number ot selling agents in each market they are assured of a sufficient quantity to make the business well' worth their, best-endeavours; they can work in close! touch with the board's representative, and average returns for comparative purposes are move readily obtainable. • . , , The board, states the federation, hands the fruit direct to" actual, sellers and does not interfere with prices in any way. Jhe fruit is given "to reeggnised wholesale farms, who have, a free hand as regards prices, and tliev are judged .by their, results. It U at the request oE legitimate.traders that the board is endeavouring to send the. desired varieties and sizes to the /various markets and amendments are made in shipping and distribution after careful consultation with the trade." : ■ ■■ '■-