NEW ZEALAND FRUIT

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 17, 20 July 1931, Page 11

NEW ZEALAND FRUIT

SOUTH AMERICAN PRICES

■ 'Pliers'obtained for New Zealand-fruit ..on tiie Soutli American market, according to a cable received to-day by the New Zealand Fruit Growers' Federation, aro down considerably. South America is one of the oldest and most favourite markets for New Zealand fruit; and until this year was one' of the most valuable. '' The political, situation in Argentina, with a change of Governments, caused' a check to commerce, and the conditions have not'improved since, largely because the exchange rate on London is still against Argentina', now 34 11-16 dto the Argentine dollar (par 48d). The new Government in Argentina has imposed a duty of 32 per cent.'on all imported fruits. . ' ■ . '• This hits' New Zealand to the extent of 3s: a box, and means that to equal last year's prices a better average per tjpx has to be reached. In order to try and attain this, it was decided to reduce the quantity exported to South America to"increase the demand. Last year 157,610 cases were exported. This year the number was reduced to 45,993 cases, but after deducting the selling charges, duty, etc., at tho current rate 'of exchange tho prices realised were lower than last year's.' .. Prices were:—Maimoa Delcious, 3530, extra 10s, 750, fancy 9s Id; Jonathan, 1245, 7s, 270, fancy, os Bid; varieties, 136, 5s sd; Matakana. Delicious, 7124, extra, and 2789, fancy (average) ]0s 4d; Jonathan, 410, extra, 7s 7d. These are;?nefc realisations at to-day's rate of exchange. In addition, a further message states that 5650 extra fancy and fancy Delicious realised 12a ad ]iet. . ■ ■ . In addition to tho fruit which was actually exported to South America, a further 55,312 cases were available, but because of tho market conditions, it toa.s dedded to transfer this to-other markets, mainly to the Continent of Europe, though a small parcel wasscnt to Manchester, and one of 7400 eases to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Prices havo not yet been' ascertained.