INCREASE PLANNED OF EXPORT OF CANNED TOMATOES TO BRITAIN

Wanganui Chronicle, 7 January 1949, Page 6

INCREASE PLANNED OF EXPORT OF CANNED TOMATOES TO BRITAIN

WELLINGTON, Last Night (PA) A big expansion in the export of canned goods, particularly tomato products to the United Kingdom, is planned by the canning industry in the Dominion this year Confirming this tonight, the president of the N.Z. Fruit and Vegetable Canners’ Federation (Mr J. Wattle) said the amount exported would depend on licences approved by the British Treasury. Decision on this question is expected this month. Describing the steps taker to meet the increase in exports, Mr. Wattie said arrangements had been made several months age for large plantings of tomatoes. One firm alone expected to handle 10,000 tons to tomatoes this year. There had never been more favourable circumstances for New Zealand canned products to get on to the English market. He felt that so long as products natural to the country, such as tomatoes and green peas, were concentrated on. the industry was on the right lines Canners felt confident that a market to the extent of £1,000.000 could be developed if a free market was obtained. New Zealand canned products already had a place on the English market, Mr. Watties said Last year one factory exported more than three million cans of tomato products alone. The demand for tl.em had increased since dollar difficulties had arisen, as now New Zealand, Australia and South Africa were the chief suppliers of canned goods to the English market.

New Zealand products were rated highly wherever they were sold and during a visit to Britain last year to discuss trade expansion, with particular reference to tomato products, he had been assured by British importers that they would take as much as New Zealand is able to supply. This applied to canned peas and spaghetti and cheese, as well as to tomatoes.

Mr Wattie said he had been concerned. when on his way back to New Zealand last year, that the exchange rate had been lifted. He had expected this would place Australia in a position to undersell New Zealand goods. As it turned out it had not been a serious handicap, and the fact that the Dominion was able to maintain her position with tomatoes and green peas was sound reason for concentrating on lines which grew well in this country.

The New Zealand Government Xvas. doing everything possible at present to press the claims of this country in getting her canned goods on the market. Mr. Wattie said similar help had been given the canning industy in both Australia and South Africa He added that an important factor in the case of Australia and New Zealand was the supply of tinplate The world supply position was not good He understood Australian quotations were made subject to availability of tinplate.