H—3OA
Storage Cool-storage space was secured for 950,000 cases of fruit, but at a later date over 200,000 case space had to be transferred to the use of the United States Joint Purchasing Board. During the war period, several stores highly suitable for fruit storage have been erected, but there still remain many old stores which are costly in operation and poor in efficiency. These old stores are utilized only for temporary storage. All fruit in cool store is under constant supervision, and the Council endorsed the policy of marketing the fruit before waste develops. Adherence to this policy keeps wastage loss at a minimum—this year the loss in fruit actually cool-stored was less than a quarter of 1 per cent, of the total sold through the Division. It also avoids repacking costs. On the other hand, this policy means that the supply to the public during the last three months of the years is very small. In Canterbury and Otago, climatic conditions are suitable to storing fruit in the orchards, and this practice is followed to supplement cool-store stocks. This season 50,000 cases were stored in orchards. Distribution The following table shows the distribution of this year in comparison with previous years:—
Because of the abundant crop, it was possible to increase the supply to Armed Services without significant reduction in the supply to the public. The increase to the military Forces was approximately 300,000 cases.
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1940. 1941. 1942. Apples. Pears. Apples. Pears. Apples. Pears. Civilian markets U.S.J.P.B New Zealand Forces .. Schools Export Miscellaneous sales .. 1,559,000 30,000 587*000 77,000 159,000 5^000 jijooo 2,037,000 55,000 113,000 4,000 92,000 329,000 15j 000 3 joOO 1,537,000 31,000 158,000 156,000 42,000 159,000 1,000 23,000 Dehydration 2,253,000 167,000 2,301,000 347,000 1,924,000 183,000 Total crop .. 2,253,000 167,000 2,301,000 347,000 1,924,000 183,000 1943. 1944. Apples. Pears. Apples. Pears. Civilian markets U.S. J.P.B. New Zealand Forces .. Schools Export Miscellaneous sales 1,522,000 267,000 94,000 91,000 47,000 198,000 23,000 11,000 3^000 1,512,000 479,000 66,000 102,000 43^000 230,000 26,000 9,000 4,000 Dehydration 2,021,000 5,000 235,000 2,202,000 113,000 269,000 Total crop .. 2,026,000 235,000 2,315,000 269,000