Tomato Growers May Lose One Market

Chronicle (Levin), 1 September 1948, Page 2

Tomato Growers May Lose One Market

From information dealt with by the Commercial Gardeners' Committee of manageme,nt, it appears that tomato growers will lose one outlet for their surplus production. Last year New Zealand exported to the United Kingdom approximately 4000 to 5000 tons of tomato products in cans in the form of soup, puree, juice and whole tomatoes. In obtaining this outlet for their production, the canners had to meet fairly intensive competition from other countries supplying the English market. This year the initial discussmns with the British Ministry of Food show that there was a potential market for New Zealand canned tomato products of approximately 8000 tons which woiuct normally have been available to the canners, and which would have beneficially afiected the growing industry in New Zealand. With the restoration of excnange parity, it seems that possibie that the Bngiish export market will be lost, and it will be diificuit to compete with many of the European countries or even Austraiia. Local growers will need to consider this turn of events before the planting season. Last year approximaoeiy 100 tons were taken by the sauce factory. That market is likely now t: be considerably restricted.