FRUIT MARKETS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 30 December 1926, Page 10

FRUIT MARKETS.

DIFFICU I/r CONDITIONS

BETWKEN SEASONS

Fruit merchants report that the last shipment of stored apples has just been received, and that they look to getting the first of the new season’s pip fruits, apples and pears, about the end of January. Stone fruits are fairly good in quality, but crops aie light and prices therefore higher than usual. Frosts played havoc with them, and apricots especially are very scarce.

The wet weather in the north was most unfavourable for strawberries, and only very limited quantities were available for export. Small lots were tried out in Hawera, but they arrived in had condition and were almost a dead loss. Locally-grown cherries were not available in Hawera, and those received from Australia were landed at a high figure. The supplies, of apples from America have finished, and this will make a big gap in the available stocks. Altogether Christmas has been a very difficult problem in regard to acouiring fruit supplies. Merchants will look forward to the advent of new season’s fruit. The outlook does not appear good, and in many respects it will not he favourable for householders.