EXPORT OF FRUIT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 9 April 1930, Page 5

EXPORT OF FRUIT

HAWKES BAY RECORD NAPIER AND DIRECT SHIPPING (By Telegraph—Press Association)

j NAPIER, 7th April. It is expected that the exports of apples and pears from Hawkes Bay this season will reach a record quantity and that the number qf cases of both fruits combined will be about 250,000 or more. The previous largest number of cases exported was 195,360 in 1928. Last year's output, which was adversely affected by hailstorms, was about 146,000.

Though the export season has still rather more than a month to go, a total of 138,000 cases has been railed to Wellington for export up to Saturday last. There is to be a shipment of 1500 cases of fruit direct from Napier to Rotterdam by the Middlesex, which sails from this port to-morrow. The unusual course of loading fruit at Napier is being taken only because the Middlesex has in her fruit accommodation space which would not otherwise be usea. An odd direct shipment was made for a similar reason last year. The use being made of the Middlesex is in no way an indication of any change of policy on the part of local fruitgrowers. Indeed, the Fruitgrowers' Federation is opposed strongly to ship-! ping direct as long as shipping facilities in Napier remain in their present undeveloped state. The risks of delay, deterioration, and mishandling are too great so long as lightering has to be used in loading fruit. Direct shipments would be made, however, if fruit could be run up to the ship's side.