FRUIT FOR ARGENTINA

Southland Times, Issue 19720, 28 November 1925, Page 8

FRUIT FOR ARGENTINA

NEW ZEALAND EXPORTS. During the past few months fruitgrowers in New Zealand have been rather concerned owing to the action of the Argentine Government in placing an embargo on the entry of New Zealand fruit into that market. The reason given for this embargo, according to information received, was due to the presence of the Mediterranean fruit fly. The Department of Agriculture gave the Argentine Government an assurance that no fruit fly existed in New Zealand, and as a result the embargo was lifted to enable a shipment of New Zealand apples, which was despatched last April. This, however, was only temporary, and the embargo was reimposed. The New Zealand Fruit Export Control Board has been making strong representations on the matter and authority was recently cabled to Messrs J. J. Hore and Company, of Monte Video, to approach the Argentine Government direct. A reply has now been received from Hore and Co. advising that they have been successful in having the embargo removed. The Argentine market can absorb approximately 40,000 cases of New Zealand apples in a season, and owing to the fact that Argentine takes a siie of apple which is unsuitable for the English market it is a very valuable outlet for the Dominion’s apples. The prices secured last season for apple shipments to that country were equal to between 12/- and 17/- per case, f.0.b., New Zealand main ports, according to variety. The well-known variety of Delicious secured a premium over all other varieties of approximately 3/- per case.