POTATO SHORTAGE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 20, 21 December 1944, Page 4

POTATO SHORTAGE

SLOW MATURITY OF EARLY -CROPS A temporary shortage of potatoes exists in the Manawatu. The early crops are looking well, but are slow in ! maturing owing to lack of sunshine j and its accompanying warmth. ' The area planted in the Manawatu j and Rangitikei districts this season is , approximately 4000 acres compared with 2300 last year. By the middle of January, weather permitting, the early crops should be ready and from then on there should be ample supplies of potatoes in the North Island for home consumption until the South Island crops are ready, and these will be dug from May onwards. It is anticipated that a large portion of the local crop will be required for supplies to the Armed Forces. 'there is an acute shortage of early potatoes in the Wairarapa and Wellington districts to meet the Christmas demand and a special call has been made to some Hawke's Bay growers to dig portions of their main crops. A Hawke's Bay grower states the crop of early potatoes in that district is not good and is not expected to be up to AJiat of last season.

There was an urgent call last week for supplies to meet the Christmas trade, said another grower, who mentioned that at least four tons of potatoes were sent forward early in the week in response to the call. These potatoes, however, were part of the main crop and had been dug prematurely. If there was too big a call for these potatoes, the Hawke's Bay main crop would be affected. He added that there was a distinct possibility that during the coming year there might be a shortage of potatoes throughout New Zealand.