FRUIT MARKETING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23879, 1 February 1941, Page 8

FRUIT MARKETING

LOCAL SELLING ONLY |fg DEVELOPMENT OF STORAGE 400,000 CASES TO BE HELD [bt telegraph-press association] NELSON, Friday "The storage of fruit, in the orchards of the Dominion is to be developed to the fullest possible extent this year, and it is hoped that it will bo possible for growers to liold 400,000 eases of this season's crop," said the Minister of Marketing and Agriculture, the Hon. J. G. Barclay, to-day. The Minister outlined efforts being made to provide cool storage and other accommodation for the crop in order to spread the marketing of fruit, all of which will he sold in New Zealand, as evenly as possible over the whole year. I last year, 2,880,000 cases of apples and pears were produced, and it was estimated that this year's crop would bo from 400,000 to 500,000 cases below that figure. Orchard Storage The Dominion was able to export 585,000 cases last year, but export prospects this year were extremely remote. Therefore, it looked as if the crop to bo consumed locally would bo very little in excess of last season s. "Over and above new stores, efforts are being made to extend the practice of orchard storage to the fullest possible extent.'' said the Minister. '"J his is a procedure which has to bt. operated with caution, and the ability of each district to orchard store different varieties is being fully investigated by the district marketing advisory committees." Avoiding Fluctuations Under normal conditions, the quantity of fruit which could be held by growers in their orchards was 180.000 cases, but it was hoped by careful control to be able to extend that storage to 400,000 cases or a little more, and so assist considerably in the holding of stocks beyond the capacities of cool storage. The director of internal marketing was conferring with the fruit trade in regard to the prospects of introducing a system which would tend to avoid .undue price fluctuations, and if possible regulate the price during the ]>cak of the season from now to the end of May in a manner which would create confidence among buyers and stabilise the market. This would result in a rapid clearance of fruit while in the best of condition.