SUPPLIES OF POTATOES

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 51, 23 November 1937, Page 4

SUPPLIES OF POTATOES

Much of the Locally-Grown Immature EFFECT ON PRICES As the results of reports of short supplies of potatoes from Pukekohe, fairly substantial quantities of Hawke's Bay-grown potatoes are coming on to the maTket. Unfortunately, many growers have brought forward their digging operations, and in consequenee a large percentage of the locally-grown product that is now coming forward is immature and Will not meet with the retail demand that more developed potatoes would meet. The eaEly digging of the potatoes is likely to have an unfavourable effect upon the futuro market, and though high priees are ruling at present immature products are not looked upon at all favourably by retailers and customers, consequently growers will not receive the anticipated returns. Potatoes * from Pukekohe have been in short supply, but it is stated that fairly large quantities are still available in Hawke's Bay, so that growers will realise that the immature locallygrown potato is competing with the outside product at disadvantageous terms. That there is a Teal shortage of potatoes throughout New Zealand is evident from the fact that the merchants' price at Pukekohe is £17 10/- a ton, or practically double the price ruling at this time last year. • The shortage has arisen because of the exceptionally dry spell experienced, and in the Pukekohe district, for example, there has been ,a much reduced yield from the higher land, though crops on the lower levels have not been aff-ected to the same extent, recent rains having ensured fairly substantial supplies.