Potato Prices For 1947-48

Northern Advocate, 6 March 1947, Page 2

Potato Prices For 1947-48

P.A.) WELLINGTON. This Day. Growers’ ceiling prices Cor potatoes n the 1947-48 season were announced esterday by the Minister of Agriulture 'Mr Cullen). The new schedule provides for inreases for early and mid-season potaaes in the North Island of £4 a ton a December and £2 a ton in Janury and February, and in the South sland of £2 a ton in February. Increases in main crop prices for 948 amount to 10/- a ton in both ;lands. The Minister said ah early announcerent was being made to meet the reuest of growers, even though tire cost urvey had not yet been completed, 'he prices were without prejudice to the results of the survey, which would be completed, however, well before the planting of the 1948 main crop took place in the coming spring. "The Government urges growers to set aside seed and mpke plans for an increase in acreage for next season, so that we may get back to an area in potatoes which will be nearer to the normal civilian requirements,” said the Minister. "In 194 G-47 the area in potatoes was about 4000 acres less than in the previous season. "Continuation of the system of planting under contract in certain specified months will be discussed shortly with the Potato Advisory Committee. A further announcement will be made on this subject of contracts.” For early and mid-season potatoes, growers' monthly average maximum prices per ton will be:—North Island: June-October, as for 1946-47; November. £22: December. £18: January, £l4: February £l3. South Island: JuneJanuary, as for 1946-47: February, £l7. For main crop potatoes prices (based on Sutton’s Supreme variety) will be:—North Island: £lO/10/- in March, rising by periodical increments to a maximum of £l3/15/- in November (“'tagged” potatoes 10/- a ton extra). South Island: £B/15/- in March, rising by periodical increments to a maximum of £l2 in November.