FRUIT EXPORT SEASON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22009, 16 January 1935, Page 5

FRUIT EXPORT SEASON

OPENING NEXT WEEK

BOOKINGS FROM AUCKLAND

OUTLOOK FOR MARKETING

The export of fruit from the AuckInnd Province will be commenced next Monday, when loading of the first shipment. of apples., will be commenced. Space bookings from Auckland for the season total 1,127,000 cases, which is about the same as last year. The first shipment of 7500 cases will include 2000 cases of Gravensteins, and it will be loaded by the Alcaroa next week. After loading the balance of the shipment at Wellington the vessel is scheduled to sail on February 6 and to arrive at Southampton on March 11. A further shipment of Gravensteins will be loaded at Auckland by the Coptic, which is due on February 1, while space for 20.000 cases of "Worcester-Pearmains lias been arranged for the Opawa, which will receive this cargo at Auckland between February 4 and 7 and complete loading at Wellington on February 12 and 13.

To achieve extra choice grading this season a higher percentage of colour will he required in Gravensteins, which are now classed as striped apples, instead of yellow or green as previously. As the first shipment is earlier than usual the fruit will not have the same ehauce of ripening and it is possible that the proportion of extra choice apples will be less than usual. Moreover, the yield of Gravenstein apples is greater in alternate years and, as there was a heavy crop last year, it is anticipated that production will be lighter this season. The prospects for trade with the Continent at present appear to be rather gloomv, according to a report issued by the New Zealand Fruit Export Control Board. The board is conferring with the Government regarding prospective shipments to the United States and Canada and, on account of the very high colour standards to which consumers in these countries are accustomed, special steps are being taken to fulfil market requirements. . \ A pooling svstem will again be adopted by the'board this year, fruit destined for new mai-kets being pooled separately, as the Government "vv ill probably'grant a separate guarantee in respect of such markets.