FRUIT MARKET.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10749, 21 November 1928, Page 2

FRUIT MARKET.

PROSPECTS AT HQME

BETTER, PRICES EXPECTED

The prospects for better realisations on the London market for New Zealand fruit during the coming season, are much brighter than twelve months ago, according to Mr H. Stephens, overseas superintendent of -the N.Z, Fruit Control Board.

The prices last season were certainly low, but he thought that the extra production made up for this to a large extent. Taking the average, of the season’s 'returns, they were just sufficient to pay expenses and to mako a living, though there would not be much of a margin. The selling season just' past was in direct contrast to that previously experienced. On that occasion everything was in favpr of the Dominion growers, as there were short crops everywhere. Last season, he added, too many shipments were concentrated on London, and the Australian growers, also with record crops, followed suit with largo supplies to that port. The result was that the' markets of the South of England were glutted, and those of the north were yielding better results to the grower right through the year. Scotland was neglected by the American and Australian exporters, and it was not until the mid-season that the New Zealand supplies reached Scottish ports. It was his opinion that New Zealand exports would have achieved better results if more shipments had been, sent to Glasgow. . . Asked for his opinion as to the prospects of the present seaon’s supplies, Mr Stephens said it was very difficult to offer apy. indication, but ho thought that under normal circumstances it appeared as though the prospects would be more favorable. With record crops in both Australia and N.Z. last year, it was expected that there; would be a reduction in the supplies this year, more especially on the part of the Australian orchards, whioh contained older trees and were more addicted to cropping successfully on alternate years. Another factor which would assist New Zealand from falling a great deal below last season's rcord crop* was that the use of manures was increasing in this country, and was assisting the growth of fruit considerably. There had been a big carry-over of American fruit, but Mr Stephens did not think this would affect the market . for New Zealand apples. Instancing tho difficulty in predicting market fluctuations, the overseas representative quoted an incident which occurred during the year. Tho market at the time was weak, and those in authority were predicting further drops in the prices of apples on account of the fact that tho small fruits w.ere beginning to make their appearance. The weather became hot, and was one of the best summers that had been experienced in the South of England for some time. This created such a keen demand for the small fruits that they were eagerly snapped up and. did not reach a cheap level. The result was that there was a correspondingly better demand for apples and the prices, instead of becoming lower as predicted, rose in sympathy with the demand for other fruit.