GISBORNE FRUIT EXPORTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 18992, 17 April 1936, Page 4

GISBORNE FRUIT EXPORTS

ALLOCATION NOT FILLED DOMINION DECLINE SEASON NEARLY ENDED Although the Gisborne apple exports this season are much larger than those of last year, the quantity shipped so far suggests that the season's total will be lower than expected.

A consignment of between 700 and 800 Stunner ' and Dougherty apples for export was dispatched from Gisborne by the m.v. Pakura to Wellington on Wednesday. All were for the United Kingdom. With only about three weeks remaining before the close of the export season, it seems certain that the aim of Gisborne growers to send away 20,000 cases will not 'be fulfilled. The two severe hailstorms shortly after the setting of the fruit caused much damage, which was added to by the gale when the early varieties were ready to pick. ~ '■• • ■

DOMINION FIGURES Exports of fruit from New Zealand for the first three months of this year totalled 240,393 cases, of apples, and 21,408 cases of pears, according to figures supplied by the Fruit - Control Board. The total shipments are lower than for the same period for the last three years, leaving a heavy shipping programme for this month and May. Of the total exports all but 59,194 cases of apples and 2131 cases of pears were for the United Kingdom. Fruit shipped to other destinations comprised 500 eases of apples to Jamaica, 25,087 cases of apples and 2131 cases of pears to North America, and 34,189 cases of apples and 582 cases of pears to the Continent. | It seems impossible to estimate crops this season, states the board's report, but as far as can be judged, the Dominion crop will be greatly less than was originally anticipated. Severo storms have taken a heavy toll from the North Island orchards, while hail in Nelson will prevent the export of much fruit. - This general shortage, together with the lateness of the season, has been reflected in space cancellations that have been necessary. EASTERN MARKETS The board is ' anticipating larger shipments to Eastern markets this season, but the quantity actually forwarded will depend greatly on the shipping available. At the present time it is necessary to tranship either at Sydney, or at Honolulu, but while it is not difficult to get the fruit to these two places it is difficult to obtain space on the on-carrying steamers.

For new markets the Government has agreed to guarantee 9s a case c.i.f., New Zealand currency, in respect of each variety, plus transportation costs in excess of those . on fruit shipped to the United Kingdom.

Growers have been advised of the sale of 30,000 cases to Brazil, and this shipment will be leaving very shortly. The board is finding it difficult to obain the required percentages of extra fancy and fancy, and also of the "A" and 'B" size groups.