FRUIT EXPORT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17229, 8 April 1930, Page 9

FRUIT EXPORT

HAWKE’S BAY PROSPECTS i A RECORD ANTICIPATED (I’cr Press Association.) j NAPIER, this day. ! It is expected that the exports of .apples and pears from Hawke’s Hay this season will reach a record quantity, and that the number of cases oi both fruits combined will be about j 250,000 or more. The previous largest number of cases exported was 195,360, in 102 S. Last year’s output, which was adversely affected by hailstorms, i was about 140,000 cases. I Though the export season has still lather more than a month to go, the : total of 138,000 cases had been railed to Wellington for export up to Satur- ; dav last. There is to be a shipment . of* 1500 cases of fruit direct from ! Napier to Rotterdam by the Middlesex, which sails from that port to-day. The unusual course of loading fruit 'at Napier is being taken only because 'the Middlesex has in her fruit accommodation space which would not otherwise be used. A direct shipment was made for a similar reason last year.

The use being made of the Middlesex is in no way an indication of any change of policy on the part of the local fruitgrowers. Indeed, the Fruitgrowers’ Federation is opposed strongly to shipping direct so long as shipping facilities in Napier remain in their present undeveloped state. The risks of delay, deterioration ami rushhandling are too great sci long its lightering has to lie used in loading fruit. Direct shipments would be made, however, if the fruit could be run up to the ship’s side.