COLONIAL FRUIT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16371, 20 June 1927, Page 5

COLONIAL FRUIT

THE MARKET IN ENGLAND. AMERICA N COM PETITION. (Elec. Tel. Copyright-United Press Assn.! (Australian and N.%. Cable Association.) LONDON, June 18.

Apple prices continue satisfactory and (lie season now drawing to a close appears likely to show very satistactory results. American apples continue to arrive, hut the market can absorb all that come for our soft fruit season has been a, poor one. Strawberries, usually cheap and. plentiful in mid-June, ..re very scarce, and are not obtainable even from the costermongers’ barrows under Is a lb., instead of the usual price of 6d. Cherries and other small fruits are also scarce and dear.

The competition of American apples has been less acute than in some previous years, lmt still the imports have been considerable. iSome Covent Garden importers are. therefore, considering whether it- would be possible to induce (lie Government to prohibit the sale or importation of American apples during April, May and June. They point out that the whole American crop is gathered by October, and large quantities are placed in cold store in order to supply Britain practically the whole year. It is suggested that it would pot he a great hardship if the Americans were compelled to market their apples during nine months from July to March, leaving Empire fruits a. clear market during April, May and June. The proposers of this plan recognise it may be difficult for the Government to enforce prohibition. but representations in that connections are being made to the Etnipre Marketing Board.

AMERICA AS A MARKET

PROSPECTS FOR AUSTRALIA

NEW YORK. June 18

Mr. Dowrick, associate of Mr. Cattanacli, informed the Australian Press Association that following several weeks’ investigation into the fruit marketing possibilities of the United States and Canada they were convinced that, both countries offered an excellent outlook to both tinned and fresh Australian fruits. He believed a shipment, of grapes would find New York dealers receptive, despite the fact that the fruit would be subject to the unnecessary hard test ot 57 days in transit. He declared that the best way to ship fruit to America was via Vancouver, and intimated 1 that next year a railway, carload of fruit produce would be shipped to the United States, with sales at St. Paul, Chicago, etc., before reaching the East. The study of the Canadian conditions disclosed a whole-heart-ed desire by Canadian dealers to handle Australian dried and tinned fruits, but the competition from California is very keen. He felt that the Australian product would compare favorably with that of California, but the packing question demanded the closest attention in order to place goods on a parity with uit Canadian market, and for this reason he was proceeding to California, where, with the Director, Mr. Ranger, of the Queensland Fruit Marketing Commission, he would make careful enquiry into the canning industry there. This would he done in tin* interest ot the Victorian Government, while Canadian inquiries were in connection with the Commonwealth Mission.

The high prices paid by the consumer in the United States for fresh fruits indicated the high cost of shipment ot Australian products would not be a serious hindrance. Clingstone peaches, pears, grapes particularly, and othei fresh fruits as well, would find a ready market here at any time, and during the off season, when American orchards' and vineyards were not producing, they would command high prices. There were, moreover, said Mr. Dowrick, ample opportunities to dispose of considerable quantities of Australian garden produce, especially onions, which were now being shipped from many countries. He added, “If onions from Modi terranean countries as far south as Egypt- can profitably be put on the; American miirket there is no reason why it cannot be made a paying outlet for American onions.’’

Mr. Dowrick said ho did not believe an embargo against foreign fruit on account of the- fly pest would prove an insurmountable barrier, and pointed out several factors to overcome possible reluctance to give the entry to Australian fruits. The” authorities,' if convinced' concerning the fineness of . Australian fruits, would be quick to, realise that the quality of the product itself was evident that anti-pest precaulions .were being taken bv Australian ofehardists and vineyardists. Moreover, he believed the authorities could easily be convinced that those parts of Australia from which fruit- was shipped were clear of fly pest, particularly Tasmania and Victoria. Mr. Dowrick is proceeding to Washing to discuss the question with the Department of Agriculture officials. He will also attend the Toronto Exhibition in August, sailing -from San Francisco in September.