FRUIT EXPORT TRADE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21390, 18 July 1931, Page 10

FRUIT EXPORT TRADE.

The comparatively favourable conditions ruling in the fruit-growing industry and the relative prosperity of the Dominion’s fruit export trade, at a time when nearly all other avenues of primary production are unremunerative, afford an instructive illustration of the advantages to be derived from a diversity of industry. As is common knowledge, the overseas markets for all pastoral products, such as wool, frozen meat, and dairy produce, have latterly been seriously affected by violent fluctuations resulting in a general disturbance of the export trade in these commodities. On the other handy the fruit markets of the Dominion, now extended beyond the United Kingdom to the Continent and South America, have been distinguished by a consistency of demand and price strength that have made for a stability and firmness that are reflected in the satisfactory outcome of the past season’s operations. Exports of wool have decreased in both quantity and value, apd while butter, cheese, mutton and lamb have been shipped in larger quantities than was the case in the preceding year their market value this season has been considerably lower than in 1929-30. The fruit export trade, however, has been productive of results that are decidedly promising. For the 12 months ended March 31 last the exports of fruit from the Dominion totalled 50,366,7581 b, compared with 40,454,5311 b for the previous year. The value of the shipments for the period was £.621,208 as against £553,843 for the year ended March 31, 1930. Both quantity and value show marked improvement with the result that, notwithstanding the universal depression, the fruitgrowing industry has been enabled to yield a fair return on the capital invested in it. The final shipments of Otago apples and pears to European markets arrived at their destination early in the present month and were in time to participate in the favourable market conditions that have been indicated in the reports from the High Commissioner’s office in London. The satisfactory position of the fruit industry is of particular interest to the provincial district of Otago inasmuch as apples and pears from Central Otago not only comprise a large percentage of the annual exports but also enjoy the highest favour on the London market, Otago apples being regarded as the best imported into Great Britain from this country.