RECORD FRUIT YIELD

Hokitika Guardian, 22 March 1930, Page 6

RECORD FRUIT YIELD

BOOKINGS BY GROWERS

LARGE SHIPMENTS ABROAD

'New Zeal anti has produced a record rruit crop during the present season, largely as a result oi lavourahie elimaiie conditions, comparative lreedoni from pests, and sound and intensive e-win.jii. I nis will mean an increaseo unit export trade, which is already Lome out Oy the applications from grew .s received l>y the New Zealand f’Y.j, Export Control Board lor shipping spine in overseas vessels, hast year's sin, ments to!ailed 985),709 cases, Imt already hookings tor space m ox. ess of tins figure have been received. l’reviou. ,w Lie it: rem, season, .15)28 held the record. When the hist summary was made a few weeks ago the Indications were that the output for the season would total about 1,230.1,0.) million cares, hut a further cheek up sin e then shows that the crop is larger than was then expected, amended returns Irom the various districts increasing in most respects. Some of the distiiets are more or lens stationary in their outpu . Hawke’s Bay being a case in pond. There the estimate is 224/00 cases ol apples and 31,090 cases of pears, unliving a total crop of 2"B,(KK) cases lor the season. Auckland, on the other hand, has increased its output, and tresh applications for shinning space are still being received. The Auckland district’s estimate is set down at 110,000 cases, of which about 2C.00 eases will be pears. Nelson is surpassing all previous records for the production of fruit, and even though the presentamended estimate is 780,000 eases, oi which 20,000 arc pears, the figures are still climbing higher wth later returns coming to hand. The Wairar; -

crop is estimated at 20 000 cases, that from Marlborough at 53.000 eases, and the Poverty Bay output at 21,000 Cases.

One result of the increase is that the apoles are not so Big as they have been when them has been a medium output. Although there is quite a fair percentage of large sizes in this year’s crop, by far the bigger percentage' is of the medium and small sizes. The large sizes are favoured in South America, and New Zealand will be sending 150,000 eases there thi« year. Odd a s it might appear, it is a fact that the medium-sizes are more favoured in the United Kingdom. An innovation that the Fruit Control Board hii,s introduced this year is special marking for the small sizes, so that they will be marketed in those markets best able to sell them. A fair quantity of New Zealand Bruit "u to be sent to the Continent, and the Continental shipments may be anythin" from 150,000 to 200,000 eases. The Continent is recognised as a splendid outlet for certain varieties, such as Dunns, which are sometimes hard to quit in anything like large quantities. • Forward sales have (been made in Canada by the Control Board, Imt as agents are still ■ working there the total quantity of oases is not yet available. The variety is Delicious. 150-163, and Canada is prepared to take as much fruit of that type a.s growers care to forwn-d. Fruit is being sent to Vancouver on consignment for sale in Western Canada, delicious and Jonathan being the varieties. It is hoped that this year s work will result in forward sales in that territory next year.

Xelson loading is a feature of tliis year’s fruit export trade, and in view of the large amount grown in that district an endeavour is being made to ship as much as is possible from that quarter, it is estimated that the quantity shipped direct from Nelson will he anything from 200,0(10 to 250,000 oases. The first ‘boat to load at Nelson will he the Otaki, which goes tliei’t on March 20, and remains at the port until she: is full. !he Otaki’.s consignment will amount to 50,000 eases, and she will bo followed bv tlio Zealand'- " r '”"id :»!>o 1 April 4. Four boats containing fruit for overseas have already boon dispatched from Wellington, and the fifth is now in process of loading. The first boat is to carry fruit for die Continent and South America will be the Port Brisbane, which will commence loading to-day.