AUSTRALIAN FRUIT

Southland Times, Issue 20208, 20 June 1927, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN FRUIT

MARKETS IN AMERICA OUTLET FOR TINNED AND FRESH FRUITS EXCELLENT POSSIBILITIES (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) New York, June 18. Mr Dawrick, associate of Mr Cattanach, 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 outlet to both tinned and fresh Australian fruits. He believed the shipment of Ohanese grapes and Canadian Scottish would find New York dealers receptive. Despite the fact that the fruit would be subjected to the unnecessarily hard test of 57 days in transit, he declared the best way to ship the fruit to America was via Vancouver, and advised that next year a railway carload of fruit produce would thus be shipped to the United States with sales at St, Paul, Chicago, etc. Before reaching the East a study of Canadian conditions disclosed a whole-hearted desire by Canadian dealers to handle Australian dried and tinned fruits, but competition from California was very keen. He felt that the Australian product would compare favour--ably with that of California, but the packing question demanded the closest attention in order to place the goods on a parity with the Canadian market, and for this reason he was proceeding to California where, with the Director-Ranger of the Queensland Fruit Marketing Commission, he would make careful inquiry into the canning industry. This would be done in the interests of the Victorian Government, while the Canadian inquiries were in connection with the Commonwealth Mission. The high prices paid by the consumer in the United States for fresh fruits indicated that the high cost of shipment of Australian products would not be a serious hindrance. Clingstone peaches, pears and grapes particularly and other fresh fruits as well would find a ready market here at any time, and during the off season when the American orchards and vineyards were not producing, they would command high prices. There were, moreover, 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 Mediterranean countries as far south as Egypt can profitably be put on the American market, there is no reason why it cannot be made a paying outlet for Australian onions.” He did not believe the 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 an entry to Australian fruits. The authorities, if convinced concerning fineness of Australian fruits, would be quick to realise that the quality of the product itself was evidence that antipest precautions were being taken by Australian orchardists and vjneyardists. Moreover, he believed the authorities would easily be convinced that those parts of Australia from which the fruit was shipped, were clear of the fly pest, particularly Tasmania, Victoria, etc. Mr Dowrick is proceeding to Washington 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.—A. and N.Z.