EXPORT OF FRUIT

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 20, 24 July 1934, Page 14

EXPORT OF FRUIT

DEVELOPMENT ABROAD

GOOD PROSPECTS IN CANADA

DIRECTOR'S TOUR

Possibilities of the development of the Dominion's export fruit trade'have been investigated by Mr. J. A. Campbell, director of the horticultural division of the Department of Agriculture, who returned from England by tho Matakana. The results of his investigations will bo embodied in a report which he will make to the Government shortly. ■. Mr. Campbell sees considerable possibilities ahead in trade with the United States and Canada, but does not appear to find the Home market very promising, reports tho "New Zealand Herald." ■ Mr. Campbell, who left New Zealand last November, visited first the United States, where for many years there has been an embargo against New Zealand fruit, li' . . ri atiy been removed, leaving the way clear for New Zealand to send frnit if prospects were otherwise satisfactory. Mr. Campbell says that-the United States is a very large producer of fruit and also exports large quantities. It (has established cool storage, by means of which the fruit can be carried throughout the season. Notwithstanding that,, the general opinion in the trade there was that in some years there was sufficient shortage | during the, New Zealand season to sug-1 gest that fruit could be landed from New Zealand and disposed of in the States at a payable price. ' - CANADIAN FEELING FRIENDLY. As far as Canada is concerned, New Z.ealand has been shipping moderate quantities' of apples and pears' there for the last few years, but the matter 'of extension is one for consideration and requires close knowledge of the circumstances on the spot. Mr. Campbell found the feeling iniCanada on the^sub-1 ject of' development of the fruit trade with Now Zealand very satisfactory and friendly.; ' . •• ■ • i "I met with no hostility," he said. "Asa matter of fact we were welcomed j not only by the Government Depart- j i.ment, but by the: fruit people "themi selves, including the growers. Practically every year in the past considerable quantities of United States apples have gone into Canada to make up the shortage that we aim to supply. In order to protect the Canadian fruit industry a duty was imposed against American fruit entering Canada during certain months/ The, duty was lowered considerably at the latter eiid "of the season, but since the Ottawa Conference it has been maintained at the same level all the year round in order to give overseas Dominions an opportunity to > supply.'There: is a possibility of a quite considerable fruit businessbcing done, but at the moment the economic position is a factor that will probably retard" development. When tilings improve it is quite possible we may do a fair business with Canada." CONDITIONS IN ENGLAND. From Canada Mr. Campbell went to England to learn at first hand the condition in which New Zealand fruit arrived, its appearance; its comparison with rival fruits arriving about the same time, its standing in the eyes of the buyers, its grading, packing, container, and so forth; These matters^vill be the subject of an early report to the Department which will be. submitted later to the fruit growers. For the last two years the prices obtained for New Zealand fruit on the Home market have been very low, and Mr. Campbell attributes this to the depression, together 'with • the large volume of-imports of fruit from various parts of the' world. There are possibilities, however, of ■ . readjustment whereby the prospects of Southern Hemisphere shippers may be improved. Fruit grown in. the Northern Hemisphere is placed on: the market out of ■ its normal season, and New Zealand !' and Australia are competing not only with each other but also with this overHow. of Northern Hemisphere fruit. I Mr. Campbell found very interesting work being, done by English fruit growers as a..result of the work of the various research stations operating in the Old Country. Not only are many of the old orchards being taken in hand and the trees resuscitated, but heavy plantings are now taking place and the orchards are being established on modern lines'. , The various research stations, he said,;,.were doing valuable work. .-■■. .■.■=■■