RECORD FRUIT CROP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20954, 18 August 1931, Page 9

RECORD FRUIT CROP.

EXPORT TRADE INCREASES. TOTAL OF 1,349,893 CASES, HIGHER RETURN TO GROWERS. INCOME OF ABOUT £440,000. [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER. ] WELLINGTON, Monday. The returns from New Zealand s export fruit crop are nearly finalised. When the accounts are squared in a few weeks' time, it is expected the grower will be able to net a satisfactory return in comparison with last season's yield. Although a light season is usually expected after a heavy one such as last year, thi3 season was' again very heavy, and the exportable crop was again a record, both from the viewpoint of production and return. The Fruit Export Control Board exported 1,267,168 cases, while the Otago output, which was not handled by the board, amounted to 82,725 cases. Last season, the whole export, including Otago, reached 1,331,854 cases, against 1,349,893 cases this season. Approximately two-thirds of the exported crop went to the United Kingdom, and a portion of the consignments was distributed on the Continental, South American and Canadian markets.

It is anticipated that the average price realised will rtach approximately 12s a case, c.i.f., London, and, in spite of adverse marketing conditions in France and Germany, chiefly on account of trade depression and through the flooding of these markets with peaches produced under intense industrial pressure in Italy, the neb return to the New Zealand fruitgrower is expected to be somewhere in the vicinity of 7s a case, which is Is 6a a case higher than last year. The estimated income is about £440,000, added to which is approximately £40,000 by way of favourable exchange, a handsome present to the producer. Under the export control system, about 75 per cent, of the price is advanced to the growers, and the remaining 25 per cent, will bo handed over when the accounts are finalised.

The exportable yield and the price realised is considered to be generally satisfactory, and the fruit producers, the bulk of whose produce comes frpm Nelson, have in the present stress much to bo thankful for.