PASSION FRUIT

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 69, 23 March 1933, Page 13

PASSION FRUIT

TRIAL EXPORT

CONFIDENCE IN. FUTURE

The prospects for a successful passion fruit export industry In New Zealand are considered encouraging by tho eooperativo growers iv tho Kerikeri district, North Auckland, whero determined efforts arc being made to estab-. lish an overseas market and to develop the New Zealand market. Both whole fruit and pulp aro engaging tho keen attention of tho producers, according to the "New Zealand Herald."

Last season a trial shipment of wholo fruit was sent, to England, good reports on its condition boing received and encouraging prices realised. The fruit on that occasion, however, was sent to Auckland and repacked before dispatch, tho additional handling involved militating against its arrival in Britain in the best possible condition. This year it second trial shipment has been made, the final imcking being dono on the plantations, and'it is considered tho results should bq even more oneouraging. • .

Last month ninety six trial cases of the fruit were packed, at Kerikeri, each case containing about nino and a half dozen passion fruit. Half of it was fruit that had reached early maturity and tho other half of late maturity, that is, the latter was a little harder and greener at timo of packing. A varioty of wrappings was used, including wax, oil, and plain paper, some of the fruit ;being packed in sawdust, some in cork, and some in nothing at all.

The trial cases were sent to Auckland, and immediately shipped by tho steamer Akaroa under varying conditions of temperature and other tost conditions. Tho Akaroa sailed finally from New Zealand for England .only at the beginning of this month; so that some time will elapse before tho result of the trial shipment is known. When picked the fruit, even that of (later maturity, was full flavoured and of excellent quality, so it is considered that tho test will prove even more successful than last year's experiment.

Passion fruit from Kerikeri' is sold in all parts of New Zealand, and this year for tho first timo the growers have taken in hand the distribution of their product. This step was taken with tho objective of increasing their returns, and from this point of view tho current season has proved the most successful experienced. The crop has been a satisfying one, and prices are. considered yevy satisfactory. This season also the growers have commenced pulping on their own account for tho New Zealand market.