FIJI'S EXPORT TRADE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 235, 4 October 1928, Page 4

FIJI'S EXPORT TRADE.

STEADILY GROWING. (From Our Own Correspondent.) SUVA, September 26. Possibly owing in part to the fact that the Australian market is barred to Fiji bananas, except at a risky chance of realising a price which will counter-balance the heavy import duty, agriculturists here are looking out for fresh opportunities of export. While regular shipments of bananas are made to New Zealand monthly fresh impetus is being given by the export of other lines which pay the exporter even more handsomely than bananas. The shippers are chiefly Chinese, who, of late, are showing much enterprise. During the past two months many thousand cases of prime tomatoes have been sent to Australia, and a lesser amount to New Zealand. This industry promises during a certain season to be a very remunerative one. Besides this many thousands of sacks of good well grown kumaras are being sent to the Dominion. Prices are excellent, and every ship' has seen increased shipments. The tomatoes are brought into the packing shed at the Suva wharf and the fruit is carefully packed under the strict supervision of the inspector of produce. Large quantities are rejected owing to being on the matured side. The grading is also receiving special attention. Reports show that the tomatoes are meeting with a good reception, both in Sydney and Auckland. The rapid progress of the Chinese cultivators is very noticeable, and the increased business from the hands of Chinese firms, both in export and import gives much room for serious consideration. One Chinese company expect to ship over £60,000 worth of copra from Fiji this year.