NEW ZEALAND FRUIT.,

Otago Witness, Issue 3885, 28 August 1928, Page 20

NEW ZEALAND FRUIT.,

PREFERENCE FOR RED APPLES. LONDON, July 13. Several shipments of New Zealand apples have gone to provincial ports during the past fortnight. The Somerset carried 9000 cases for Avonmouth, Bristol. These were in good condition and sold well. Sturmers brought 10s 6d to 13s per case; Statesmans 13s to 16s; Doughertys, 13s to 16s 6d; Rokewoods, 15s 6d to 16s; Pioneers, 15s; Newtown Pippins, 12s to 12s 6d; Tasmas, 13s to 13s 6d; and Rome Beauties, 13s to 14s 6d. A few trays of Statesmans sold at from 3s 9d to 4s 6d. Granny Smiths made from 14s to 17s. This apple is a particular favourite on the Home market, in spite of the fact that it is grass green. Some from Australia sold at 25s a case a few weeks ago, and one may often see them at West End stores being sold at 4d and 5d each. Apart from this particular apple, however, th e green apple is difficult to sell, and this applies right throughout the country just now. The public do not appear to look for quality so much as for colour and appearance. Sturmers, for instance, are finer apples than some of the red varieties coming over, but they do not command the prices that the red apples do. The Somerset landed 16,000 cases of apples at Liverpool for Manchester. These and a consignment by the Tongariro were to have been sold yesterday, as 100,000 cases of Australian apples are due on the market this week-end. The market at Liverpool has been good all the week, so satisfactory prices may be expected. The Somerset also carried 13.609 cases of apples to'Glasgow, and the Tongariro 10,800. No reports are yet available. Both the Maimoa and the Turakina have brought consignments to London. Prices for all the red varieties have ranged from 12s to 14s. The major portion of the cargo, however, were Sturmers, and these have made a slow sale at from 9s 6d to 12s 6d. A fair proportion of the Sturmers were on the large size, and these are not wanted in London this year. There have been some complaints regarding bruising, especially in the Sturmers; and Statesmans have shown some wastage. Otherwise the quality and condition have been very fair. Two months ago a quantity of pears were put into the store at Southampton, the prices at that time being very low. These have kept fairly well and have nowbeen released. P. Barrys are making 4s 6d to 5s a tray, and Winter Nelis 6s to 9s a tray. Had they been sold two months ago they would have made only half those prices. PUBLICATION OF FIGURES. It has been suggested in several quarters that the publicity given to the quantities of apples being shipped from Australia and New Zealand has a tendency to lower the prices. Not only are cable messages received from the Dominion and published in the English papers, giving the number of cases despatched, but the Empire Marketing Board issues a weekly statement regarding quantities. This, it is suggested, causes the retailer to place a low' valuation on the produce. Mr H. E. Stephens (representative of the New' Zealand Fruit Board) expressed his opinion in regard to these suggestions: “ I do not agree with that point of view,” he said. “My experience has been that the publication of reliable information as to quantities on the way is far safer, and has a steadying influence on the market. If you try to keep things quiet you get exaggerated rumours. With accurate figures available everyone knows where , he is and there is no panic. There is no getting away from the fact, however, that the arrival of apples here is very much greater than at this, time last year. Last year only 150,000 cases arrived after the end of June. This year the figure is likely to reach 800,000.” SOUTH AMERICAN MARKET.

A matter which is of interest to New Zealand growers is the arrival of Chilean apples at Covent Garden. These included Hoovers, Rome Beauties, Newtown Pippins, White Winners, and Pearmains. All these were very attractive, well grown, and well packed. Now this fruit will probably realise 13s or 14s. The Argentine has also sent a consignment of apples this season. New Zealand sends some 80,000 cases of apples to the Argentine and prices are high compared to London prices. The fact is clear that Argentine or Chili, by sending apples to London, get about half what they would get by selling their fruit in their own local market. It is suggested that there is more in these shipments of apples to London than meets the eye. Are the South American fruitgrowers looking to their Governments to put a Customs tariff on apples, and are they sending consignments to London to be able to tell their Governments that not only can they satisfy local requirements, but they have to export a surplus? It.will be remembered that Uruguay put a tariff of 18s a case on imported apples. The question is asked: _ Are the fruitgrowers in the other republics, trying to influence their Governments to do the same thing?