FRUIT SUPPLIES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 14 April 1927, Page 9

FRUIT SUPPLIES.

SOME TINS ATI SF AC TOR Y FEATURES.

HARDENING TENDENCY

There are some features in the markets for fruit which, it is reported, are not satisfactory either to grower or to consumer. The range of prices lias been somewhat high, a condition which is not likely now to improve. The Cox’s Orange Pippin is pretty well off, and the Delicious is the main variety in supply. The remarkable figures secured by'exporters, when 60s was got for a bushel case, emphasises what a good season it lias been for exporters. They could wish the harvest had been all round better than was the case. One instance is reported of a grower' in Nelson, who has averaged 50s over two hundred cases of apples. It is feared that such returns will interfere with the local markets, about which the grower will not worry. One big shipment is recorded to have averaged 35s per bushel case. To-day sees the final export shipment for the season, and growers have been very busy in preparation. Between forty and fifty thousand oases will be in that shipment. Bananas, it is reported on good authority, are going to be dear, because of the partial failure of the crops. The prospects do not appear to be too good for the local consumers, and it is serious for them to learn that the market will be practically bare for the next two weeks, except for the Rarotongan supply, which is enough only for Wellington’s needs. The position appears to be that the last shipment but one from the Islands ivas badly infected with rot, and could not be used, and the one following, which would have been the last to be received in the ordinary way, did not come at all; while the next will not be available in New Zealand until about April 26. Tomatoes all round have been late in ripening, except the early hothouse supplies, and thev are hard to procure, and naturally will be dear and scarce. Island oranges are coming to hand well, and are of good quality and well grown. This is much appreciated bv consumers

Crapes. ’ local hothouse grown, havo been good this year, and in fairly goad supply, but they are going off, and retailers are now dependent largely on Australian-grown grapes. A very satisfactory lot of Stratford grapes were secured by the Nelson Fruit Company, who take" all they can get from the district growers. A fair supply is grown in Hawera, hut a. lot of them were affected by the grub, a caterpillar called the “leaf roller,” somewhat like the eodlin moth on apples. This has been responsible for - a lot of trouble with the grapes.