PROSPEROUS PRODUCERS

Feilding Star, Volume 8, Issue 2587, 3 December 1931, Page 8

PROSPEROUS PRODUCERS

AUSTRALIAN DRIED FRUITS HIGH Pit ICES IN LONDON At a time when the prices of primary products are at a low ebb the Australian producers of currants and sultanas have experienced the most profitable season in tile history ol' the dried fruit industry. Air. W. N. Twiss, Secretary of the South Australian Dried Fruit Board, says the. prices obtained in London this year for currants an:l sultanas had. never been so satisfactory, added to which the Australian producers was reaping the additional benefit of the exchange amounting to about: 30 .per cent. "Dried fruit is the first of Australia's staple commodities to turn the corner," said Air. Twiss, "and as a result producers who are benefiting from tlie improved export, prices, obtained both in England and Canada, are much happier than they have been for years. I believe New Zealand consumes about 4000 tons of sultanas annually, of which Australia supplies a little over half, and I understand Australia lias made representations to thy Dominion Goveru-

m.ent for some measure of preference in favour of the Australian producer. It is estimated that tlie. loss to the Commonwealth in the absence of such preference is between £86,000 and £IOO,OOO. A preference agreement would enable us to supply all your requirements. The recent trade treaty between Australia and Canada lias resulted in our exports of dried fruits increasing substantially. Before 1030 no. sultanas were exported to Canada and nq currants were exported to, that, country before 1928.; now Canada obtains practically the whole of her requirements currants and sultanas from Australia.”