EXPORT OF FRUIT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21859, 23 July 1934, Page 11

EXPORT OF FRUIT

DEVELOPING TRADE GOOD PROSPECTS IN CANADA DIRECTOR'S TOUR ABROAD Possibilities of the development of the Dominion's export fruit trade have been investigated by Mr. J. A. Campbell, director of the horticultural division of the Department of Agriculture, who returned from England by the Matakana on Friday night. The results of his investigations will be embodied in a report which he will make to the Government shortly. Mr. Campbell sees considerable possibilities ahead in trade with the United States and Canada, but does not appear to find the Home market very promising. Mr. Campbell, who left New Zealand last November, visited first the United States, where for many years there has been an embargo against New Zealand fruit. That has recently been removed, leaving the way clear for New Zealand to send fruit if prospects were otherwise satisfactory. Mr. Campbell says that the United States is a very largo producer of fruit and also exports large quantities. It has established cool storage, by means of which the fruit can be carried throughout tho season. NotWithstanding that, tho general opinion in the trade there was that in some years there was sufficient shortage during the New Zealand season to suggest that fruit could be landed from New Zealand and disposed of in the States at a payable price. Canadian Feeling Friendly As far as Canada is concerned, New Zealand has been shipping moderate quantities of apples and pears there for the last few years, but the matter of extension is one for consideration and requires closo knowledge of the circumstances on the spot. Mr. Campbell found the feeling in Canada on the subjest of development of the fruit trade with New Zealand very satisfactory and friendly. "I met with no hostility," he said. "As a matter of fact we were welcomed not only by the Government Department, but by the fruit people themselves, including the growers. Practically every year in the past considerable quantities of United States apples have gone into Canada to make up the shortage that we aim to supply. In order to protect the Canadian fruit industry a duty was imposed against American fruit entering Canada during certain months. The duty was lowered considerably at the latter end of the season but since the Ottawa Conference it has been maintained at the same level all the year round in order to give overseas Dominions an opportunity to supply. There is a possibility of a quite considerable fruit business being done, but at the moment the economic position is a factor that will probably retard development. When things improve it is quite possible we may do a fair business with Canada." Conditions in England From Canada Mr. Campbell went to England to learn at first hand the condition in which New Zealand fruit arrived, its appearance, its comparison with rival fruits arriving about the same time, its standing in the eyes of the buyers, its grading, packing, conlainer and so forth. These matters will be the subject of an early report to the department, which will be submitted later to the fruitgrowers. For the last two years the prices obtained for New Zealand fruit on the Home market have been very low, and Mr. Campbell attributes this to the depression, together with the large volume of imports of fruit from various parts of the world. There are, however, possibilities of readjustment whereby the prospects of Southern Hemisphere shippers may be improved. Fruit grown in the Northern Hemisphere is placed on the market out of its normal season, and New Zealand and Australia are competing not only with each other but also with this overflow of Northern Hemisphere fruit. Mr. Campbell found very interesting work being done by English fruitgrowers as a result of the work of the various research stations operating in the Old Country. Not only are many of the old orchards being taken in hand and the trees resuscitated, hut heavy plantings are now taking place and the orchards are being established on modern lines. The various research stations were doing valuable work. Mr. Campbell, who has been accompanied on his trip by Mrs. Campbell, will go to Wellington this evening.