CHEAP BANANAS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21940, 25 October 1934, Page 22

CHEAP BANANAS

THIRTY-SIX FOR SIXPENCE HEAVY GLUT IN SYDNEY Bananas have been cheaper in Sydney lately than they have been for a great many years, and many growers have been faced with serious losses as a result of low prices and the accumulation of stocks. The wholesale price in the Sydney municipal fruit market recently ranged from as low as 2s a case to ss, with extra special fruit realising to 10s and occasionally higher. When it is considered that each case contains between 28 and 40 dozen, according to size, the public will have no cause to wonder why barrowmen in that city can offer ripe bananas at 36 for sixpence. Unfortunately for the growers, fruit prices have been comparatively low this year, and bananas, in both Sydney and Melbourne, have been steadily falling in price. The failure of the Melbourne market to provide a sufficiently remunerative outlet for Queensland-and New South Wales, resulted in the marketing of this fruit through Sydney. Supplies, consequently, were greatly augmented, and, in the absence of anything like a reasonable demand, prices fell still further. The accumulated l'ruit has become very ripe, will not carry, and unless quickly sold will follow some earlier consignments to the municipal incinerator. It was estimated by a prominent agent that the cost of marketing a case of bananas would be about 6s, and, as the majority of the fruit offering is selling from 2s to ss, growers, in almost every case, stand to lose heavily. Until the Melbourne market brightens and absorbs more supplies, or until growers restrict consignments, agents expect the present condition to continue. "As it is," said one agent, "the present prices are no good to the buyer, to the grower, or to the agent."