FRUIT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19980, 23 December 1926, Page 6

FRUIT.

Generally speaking, the season for fruit h s been good. Apples were plentiful, but were not of the best quality, being slightly on the small side, and those which have recently been released from cool storage, whilst satisfactory in other respects, could not command the best price for this reason. The bananas which have been coming forward have been of excellent quality, though the price throughout the year has been high, on account of somewhat limited supplies. Oranges have been plentiful, a great deal of the fruit being American-grown. Supplies ' from Ilaratonga and the Cook Islands came to hand from time to time, and commanded good prices, but unfortunately, a good deal of the fruit was not of the size and appearance to tempt buyers. All stone fruits were scarce, and the season for them was brief. Peaches and apricots especially were not nearly so plentiful as they have been in previous years, but such as came to the markets were eagerly sought after, and sold well. Strawberries and raspberries, on the other hand, were plentiful, there being an over-supply of the latter fruit, and towards the end of the season they were lower in price than they have been for some years. There has been no shortage of vegetables during the year, and the supply has always been equal to the demand. Cauliflowers and potatoes especially have come forward in satisfactory quantities, and notwithstanding the fact that they have been of exceptionally good quality, their price has kept them in reach of everyone. The concensus of opinion among fruit merchants appears to be that the past year has certainly been better than the previous one, and the prospects appear bright for the forthcoming one.