NEW ZEALAND FRUIT.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIII, Issue 78, 16 March 1923, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND FRUIT.

POSSIBILITIES IN BRITISH MARKET. “There is no doubt that the New Zealand fruitgrowing and export industry has a big future before it, providing it is developed along the right lines,” said Mr P. Sargood, head of tho well-known Dunedin firm, when interviewed by an Auckland “Star” representative on his return on the Manuka after a protracted visit to England and the Continent. “The market is waiting in England. We can send thousands of cases every year if only the whole business is properly managed.- What is required is first-class fruit, properly graded—anything else is useless. Pears and apples arc all that can be handled at the present moment, owing to shipping difficulties, but later on, with improved cool stores and equipment, I think New Zealand will be able to compete successfully with the softer fruits.

“There is a big trade worked up between Africa and England in the softer fruit, peaches, plums, nectarines, and similar fruit being exported most successfully. We arc a long way off reaching that mark as yet, but in the meantime we must develop our apple and jiear trade, because the market is unlimited. But everything sent must be of a good keeping variety, properly graded and packed. “There are also great possibilities in the Eastern States of America. I made extensive inquiries and ascertained that round about the Panama Canal there is a big market open for our fruit. Of course, no proper arrangements have been mad? there as yet, there being no cool stores or anything of that nature.” “At the same time, if New Zealand is alert there are great opportunities,” said Mr Sargood. Questioned concerning the manner in which the New Zealand fruit trade was being conducted overseas, Mr Sargood said there certainly was need_for more representation of the best results werV to be obtained.

Touching on the matter of New Zealand butter and cheese Mr Sargood said he had been informed, on the most reliable authority, that the English market was now prepared to take £25,000,000 worth of our produce annually. . , Incidentally, Mr Sargood mentioned that Sir Thomas Clements, lately food controller at Home, who was now in Sydney, would be arriving in New' Zealand in about a month’s time, and he would have many interesting things to tell us concerning export trade and its possibilities. ______