EXPORT FRUIT

Hokitika Guardian, 15 July 1930, Page 2

EXPORT FRUIT

AUSTRALIAN QUALITY

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT.

SYDNEY, June 23

As Australian lr.uic reaches the ’English market at the same time as •Sew Zealand fruit, the Dominion is hound to be interested in the Australian export season that has just closed. It is stated here that for quality New Zealand has been in the lead. Year by year the conditions governing the export of fruit ironi Australia have been tightened, hut it would seem that the standard has not yet reached that attained by New Zealand.

Australians' regard it as unfortunate that during the current season reports have ‘been received from London. reflecting on the quality of some of the consignments. Some of the complaints have been far from flattering. They include such terms as •‘overripe and waslv” pears and apples that have been described us “prematurely .picked, poorly graded, bruised, shrivelled, spotted, dull in colour, and slack packed.” These are damaging statements, and it is natural that growers should deplore that these “tactless, i'll-informod, and damaging statements” should appear in the Press. However, if there is any justification for them, and there surely is, they may serve a useful purpose—and make Australia a real rival to New Zealand in the matter of the fruit trade. In recent years active and energetic measures have been taken to ensure that only the best quality fruit should be unpacked overseas. The Council of Industrial and Scientific Research is busily engaged in investigations on the scientific side; growers are competing among themselves for quality; a. small army of fruit inspectors examines shipments; great pains are taken on the voyage to ensure the proper refrigeration: and at the other end officials are always on the watch. Unless there is. some carelessness it does mot seem possible that reason should be given for complaints.

It is generally agreed' that although the reports m/y be tactless, they are not altogether ill-informed, and they are certainy damaging. There is undoubtedly room for improvement, with all parties working in closer co-operation. The care taken with butter exports is even more pronounced tlia.ll it is with fruit, yet complaints regarding Australian butter arc still frequent and serious.