Big Surplus of Apples and Pears

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 49, 26 February 1941, Page 6

Big Surplus of Apples and Pears

Practically No Prospect of Export GUARANTEED PRICES FOR GROWERS Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Feb. 25. A crop of 2,300,000 cases of apples and pears is expected in New Zealand this season, with practically no prospect of export because of the war. Normally about 1,250,000 cases are exported. This sets a problem for the Internal Marketing Division, which, for the second year in succession, will take all growers’ graded fruit at fixed prices. The average price this year will be 5s 3d a case, giving the growers an increased net return of 54d, according to a statement made to-day by the Director of Internal Marketing (Mr. F. R. Picot). Last year because of the shortage of shipping space, only half the usual amount could be exported, and the Government conducted an extensive advertising campaign, with the result that local sales exceeded those of 1930 by 1,000,000 cases and passed the previous record set in 1938 by 500,000 cases. The total quantity handled by the division was 2,470,000 cases; 587,000 cases were exported and all the rest were disposed of locally. The financial details of the j-ear’s transactions are not yet available, but it is believed that, including export and local sales, the scheme was self-supporting.

The crop this year is late, but increasing supplies are expected in the next few weeks. Though the total expected is less than that of last year, the division’s problem is greater, because there are now no facilities for export and there is a growing demand on cool storage space for other produce. Accordingly the public will again be asked to eat more locally-grown fruit. •Supplies will be offered in case lots through retailers mainly, but also through railway stations and dairy factories.