CO-OPERATIVE FRUITGROWERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3994, 30 September 1930, Page 15

CO-OPERATIVE FRUITGROWERS.

ANNUAL REPORT.

The annual report of the Co-operative Fruitgrowers of Otago, Ltd., which will be presented at the annual meeting ofmembers to be held at Alexandra on Friday next, states, inter alia:—ln reviewing the statistics of the year it will be seen that the output of fruit through the society has been considerably less than the previous year; this is mainly attribut-. able to the unfavourable climatic conditions which prevailed in the spring and summer throughout the fruitgrowing areas in the South Island. The yield of all varieties of fruit was seriously and this is reflected in the decreased turnover of the society as shown in the comparative statistics attached. All markets . were under-supplied, especially with fruits such as apricots, cherries, and peaches; prices ruled higher than previous seasons, but these prices were not of general advantage to the majority of the fruitgrowers. from the fact that many of th” orchards had been depleted of their crops! early in the season. There was a marked improvement in the quality of stone fruits that reached the market, which -was readily sold at good prices. This improvement in quality can be traced to the cool weather at the time of gathering the fruit, and which, with the help of the night train service provided by the railway authorities, was carried to the several markets under cool conditions, and with less delay in time between the picking of the fruit and the arrival in. the markets: Each year an improvement in tha

grading and packing of fruit for market is apparent, and this materially helps its sale. While no doubt the consumer is looking for cheap fruit, yet we find that good fruit will find ready sale at fair prices, while inferior fruit only gluts the market, and is hard to quit at any price. The return from sales to the public this season is not as large as the previous year, and is attributable to fruit being scarce and the retail traders keener to secure supplies. The apple export department has supervised larger shipments this season than formerly, and with close attention to the requirements of the shippers we hope to have a fair share of this business this season. The general goods department continues to receive the support of its members, and every inducement is offered them to trade direct with the society. The discounts allowed to members for cash payments on delivery of goods during the year amounted to a considerable sum, which, with goods at bedrock prices, means a large monetary advantage to those who deal, direct with the society. The profit and loss statement of the society’s operations for the year 1929-30 shows a credit balance of £166 13s lOd for the year’s working, and, adding .the balance from last year, makes a total of £316 12s 3d. The directors have placed £2OO to the bad debt reserve fund, bringing the total to £4OO, and carried the balance forward to next year, and trust that this. will have your approval. Regret is expressed that the society is not in a position to pay a dividend this year.