NEW ZEALAND WHEAT CROP

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21416, 7 March 1935, Page 12

NEW ZEALAND WHEAT CROP

NO SURPLUS FOR EXPORT ANTICIPATED China has recently been a keen competitor in the Australian market for wheat, but New Zealand is unlikely this year to be able to participate in the Eastern trade. A few years ago, some substantial shipments were made to the East from here, but -hat was in a year when there was a large surplus. This year, it is articipated that the wheat that will be produced, with the wheat still in hand from last year, will be just enough to meet requirements.

Since'the Wheat Purchase Board came into operation, there has been the possibility that in years when there is a particularly heavy crop, N-iv Zealand would become an exporter. It was to deal with a surplus that the board was primarily formed. This year, the Department of Agriculture estimates the yield at 29 bushels an acre, giving a total yield of about 6,T00,000 bushels. Added to this there is an amount of 1,800,000 bushels from last year's crop in the hands of the board. Beside this wheat, there is an unknown quantity in the hands of farmers who decided last year to hold their own wheat. Much of this is being sold as 1935 crop. It is anticipated by the board that wheat from all sources will be enough for requirements, but that there will be none for export.