CO-OPERATIVE FRUITGROWERS

Otago Witness, Issue 3889, 25 September 1928, Page 25

CO-OPERATIVE FRUITGROWERS

ANNUAL REPORT. The. following is the annual report of the Co-operative Fruitgrowers, Ltd., which will be presented at the' annual meeting of the society, to be held in Alexandra next Friday: — Fairly satisfactory results were obtained by the association in spite of many adverse conditions encountered. Fruit crops of all kinds were heavy in almost all districts, and the continued hot and dry weather resulted in very large quantities coming on the market in a limited space of time, while the presence of brown rot and other diseases made the task of distribution much more difficult than usual. In clearing these large quantities of fruit at payable prices to growers too much stress cannot be placed upon the importance of the cash sales to customer department. This system was inaugurated during the second season of the company’s operations, when the total sales for the year realised £2712. Since then it has steadily increased in volume, the present year’s sales totalling £10.714. In September of last year was noticed the need of securing more markets for the surplus crop of fruit that was then in view, and the manager was instructed to go north and arrange for a greater distribution. A number of new agents were appointed, and preparations made to consign large quantities of fruit by boat from Lyttelton to Wellington, but unfortunately as the fruit developed it became so seriously affected with brown rot that advantage could not be taken of these new markets, but it is to be hoped that better conditions will' prevail this coming season, and that large quantities of fruit will be consigned to the North Island, where there is a good demand for apricots and late peaches.

During the early growth of the pip fruits, weather conditions were very unfavourable, and the early and medium apples were so affected that their growth was slow, and their colour so dull that many of the varieties could not be picked for export in time to be shipped by the earlier boats to the Home markets. The consequence has been that many of the export apples missed the early market, and prices have been disappointing. Notwithstanding these difficulties, large quantities of apples have been exported, and the society has^supervised, on behalf of members, shipments to the United Kingdom and South America in larger quantities than in any other previous season.

The local apple market this season has been over-supplied with poor grades, which were hard to place at payable prices. Special auction.,sales were held to ease the market, but. prices realised were unsatisfactory. Otago growers should have experience now to know that two-inch grade of apples of any variety are not suitable for local markets. The society still holds the confidence of oversea shippers for citrus and Island fruits, but the past season was not very successful for citrus fruits, owing to partial failure of the crop. With regard to the banana supplies the society is well recognised in receiving its share of shipments. The society is now so well estab-

listed thafc it can arrange for supplies direct from Home firms, and with the support of its members, a much larger’ turnover can be handled to advantage. The profit and loss statement of the society’s operations for the year 1927-28 shows a credit balance for the year of £663 14s sd. This, added to the balance of £361 18s 9d carried forward from last year, after providing £551 17s for dividend of 5 per cent., makes £1025 13s 2d. From this an amount of £2OO 3s lOd has been transferred to bad debts reserve for special amounts written off, thus leaving a balance of £825 9s 4d for distribution.