GOLDEN APPLES

Southland Times, Issue 20226, 11 July 1927, Page 11

GOLDEN APPLES

LAST CONSIGNMENT LEAVES FOR LONDON. 539,000 CASES SHIPPED DURING SEASON. SHOULD BRING CHEQUE FOR £450,000 At daybreak on the morning of June 30, the Corinthic sailed from Wellington taking the last consignment of this season's fruit for the London market. During the season 539,000 cases of New Zealand fruit have been sent forward to London, which should realise from £425,000 to £450,000 for New Zealand growers. Mr H. E. Napier, secretary of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Federation, informed a Dominion reporter that the consignment whieh had gone forward by the Corinthic totalled 13,799 cases, consisting principally of Stunners. “This,” explained Mr Napier, “is a later shipment than has ever been made previously. During August in England there is a shortage of fruit, owing to the spell between the soft fruit season and the marketing of both the English and American crops. If it is possible to continue to make shipments at this time it will do a lot towards extending New Zealand fruit on the English market, as it will mean an extension of the marketing period for a month. The early part of the New Zealand season is overlapped by the American season, which has a serious effect on the prices secured, whereas in the latter part of the season there is no American competition present.” BEST MARKET SINCE THE WAR. It could be said, proceeded Mr Napier, that New Zealand export fruit this season had met a’ better market than since the resumption of trade after the war. Though higher prices had been obtained between 1920 and 1923, the cost of marketing in those years had been correspondingly high. Growers generally were well satisfied with the prices they had secured in London recently, which worked out at 19s a case for the whole of the shipments. “In view of what took place last season,” proceeded Mr Napier, “these prices can be considered very satisfactory, and they will go a long way towards recouping growers for loss during the 1926 crop. A number of steamers have still to land their shipments, and information as to prices is being eagerly awaited. The whole of the steamers so far have discharged their fruit in good condition.” Credit was due to the steamship companies for the great care they are taking in the carriage of fruit cargoes. GOOD PROSPECTS FOR PEARS. A very big increase had taken place in the quantity of pears shipped this season. Some growers in the past had regularly shipped, but realisations had been variable according to the out-turn of the fruit. Owing to conditions gradually improving, the total this year had amounted to 20,000 crates, and, with the exception of the lonic’s shipment, these had been discharged in good condition, and had realised payable prices. At the time New Zealand pears land on the English market, the only competition is from Australia, as the South African pears have usually been disposed of. “It would appear,” declared Mr Napier, “that there are good prospects of a profitable trade in pears for the English market, providing the market varieties are grown for the purpose.” SOUTH AMERICAN MARKET. With regard to the South American market, Mr Napier explained that, although last season’s good prices for New Zealand fruit would not be fully reached, nevertheless payable prices would be obtained this season. A proportionately larger quantity of fruit had gone to South America this season. STABILISING THE INDUSTRY. “As a review of the season,” concluded Mr Napier, ‘it might be said that, although the quantities available for export have not been as great as for the record season of 1926, the good prices received should go a long way towards stabilising the whole of the fruit industry." A total of 539,000 cases of New Zealand fruit had been shipped overseas this season, as against 730,000 cases last year. This would mean that between £425,000 and £450,000 would be split between some 700 shippers, and a proportion of this amount would go to those who handled and carried the fruit.