APPLE EXPORTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21933, 30 January 1946, Page 6

APPLE EXPORTS

RESUMPTION SOON NEGOTIATIONS BEGUN SHIPPING REQUIREMENTS (S. R.) WELLINGTON, Jan. 29. The export of apples to the United Kingdom which ceased during the war may be resumed this season. It is understood that th e British Ministry of Food has been negotiating for the supply of approximately 500,000 cases. This will be good news to commercial fruitgrowers who, piror to the war, had built, up an export trade in apples and pears exceeding 750,000 cases a year. Total production had expanded to over 2,000,000 cases and when shipping space for fruit to Britain was completely cut out, owing to urgent need for meat and butter, disaster faced the fruit-growing industry. The collapse of thriving activity earning substantial overseas credits was saved by the Internal Marketing Division undertaking the purchase of the whole crop, and its disposal on the New Zealand market meant the creation of a big sales organisation backed by an active publicity campaign to expand rapidly consumption. It was successful, though the government incurred substantial losses each season by guaranteeing growers an economic return while retail prices were fixed at an attractive, but unprofitable, level. The problem of sales on a limited market eased in 1943 when the American forces began to take substantial supplies exceeding 750,000 cases of apples and pears. This demand having ceased, the revival of exports to Britain will be particularly welcomed. The main harvesting will not commence till March. Therefore, ample time is available for an official announcement regarding the outlet to Britain. Further developments depend on improved shipping facilities becoming available within the next three months.