TRADE IN N.Z. SEEDS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 121, 24 May 1945, Page 6

TRADE IN N.Z. SEEDS

ENCOURAGING OUTLOOK

(Special P.A. Correspondent.) Rec. 11 a.m. LONDON, May 23. A firm demand for New Zealand grass and clover seeds by Britain and Continental countries at fairly high prices during the next two to three years, followed by a period of lower prices but a continued steady demand, is forecast by informed opinion here.

In addition to the demand for seed by Britain, France and Holland have now also entered the market and can obtain only small supplies from the United Kingdom. It is known that these and other Continental countries are at present buying supplies of New Zealand grass and clover seeds through the United States, but it is expected that shipments will soon go via the United Kingdom.

It is stated that there is every prospect of a large demand by foreign countries for their 1946 crops, but that prices which are now high will have to become lower. At present New Zealand Italian ryegress is being imported here for Is 3d a lb, cocksfoot for 4s, dogstail for 2s 3d, chewings fescue for 2s 6d, and white clover for 4s 6d a lb. ADDITIONAL CHARGES. To those prices, (importers' and retailers' fees have to be added, which result in substantial cost to the farmers. It is expected that shipments from Scandinavian countries will be resumed shortly. Denmark and Sweden are both likely to have a surplus and Denmark is expected to be able to harvest its crop this year, since it was liberated in time, no damage was done, and no scorched earth policy adopted. It is possible that the Danes have a certain amount of seed in store which they were able to hide from the Germans, but this is not definite; It is reported that the acreage laid down in the United Kingdom is high, but much, of course, depends on the season. Farmers are receiving attractive guaranteed prices for their seeds here to encourage as big a production as possible to meet steady needs.*

The outlook for New Zealand seeds, therefore, is encouraging and it is thought that the Dominion should continue to foster this trade with which it has made such rapid progress throughout the war.