EXPORT OF APPLES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 30 July 1929, Page 8

EXPORT OF APPLES

REVIEW OF SEASON BY CHAIRMAN OF CONTROL BOARD Several important aspects of the fruit export trade, were discussed i" an interview the "Dominion" hud with Mr J. L. BrcAvn, chairmau of the Fruit Control Hoard. At its recent meeting the Uoartl had reviewed the results obtained in the oversea markets, and'it was generally agreed that the season as far as prices were concerned, was now proving a satisfactory one, although, owing to strong American competition in the English and Continental markets, the returns for early shipments had not been as good as was anticipated. Mr Brown said his attention had been drawn to a recent article alleging danger that the Government would have to subsidise the fruit industry owing to the hold-up of fruit at the latter end of the season. There was no likelihood whatever of the Government being called upon in respect to the guarantee on exported fruit. Mr Brown remarked that something very exceptional would have to happen before the Government would have to meet any liability in this respect. As an instance he quoted the 1928 season, when on what was regarded as a low market caused by heavy Australian shipments, the amount called for under the guarantee was less than £SOO on a total export of over one million cases. The bulk of the i'ruit exported this season had reached the markets, and there were now only four steamers still to be reported. it had also been stated that the Fruit Board had been forced to give the shipping companies letters if indemnity and claused bills of lading owing .to the fruit accumulated during the latter part oft the season having deteriorated before shipment. Mr Brawn said that no indemnities had been given in respect of the four ships bi.il 1 to airive, and as the prices obtained for the fruit discharged during the last month had been satisfactory, there was. very little in the contention about "icniannitjes. Letters of indemnity and "claused" bills of lading'had been {.iven in"certain instances because some of the fruit had showed traces of "blue mould," but no fruit held to bo doubtful had been shipped overseas until the inspector of the Board of Agriculture had satisfied themselves that the fruit 'was in good shipping condition. Mr Brown stressed the point thai growers and the Board itself v-"y too jealous of (he reputation for quality of the New Zealand fruit to endanger ils good name by shipping fruit I. slow export standard.

SHIPMENTS TO CANADA During the season 12,000 cases of apples had been shipped to Eastern Canadian markets. The Board's representative in Toronto had reported a certain amount of "mouldy core" in Delicious apples. This trouble was, unfortunately, inherent in that variety, and was very difficult .to detect because the outside appearance of such apples gave ro indication of such defect. Nevertheless, there had been no diffi-. culty in the ultimate disposal of the fruit shipped to Eastern. Canada. The Board's agent had already notified sales for the 1930 season, and there was every indication that the market for New' Zealand apples in Canada was capable of' considerable expansion. The .present attitude of the United States in regard to the Customs tariff was creating a demand for Empire products on the Canadian market, and the Board had clear evidence of this in reports from the buyers of New Zealand fruit, which had been sold at a price equivalent to 15s e.i.f., equal to 16s 6d a case on the London market, in the face of United States' competition, ex cool store. SOUTH AMERICAN TRADE A disappointing feature of th<3 export trado tins season was that South American prices had not been maintained last year's level j but with the great development taking place in that trade, growers generally had not expected high prices for the much larger quantifies shipped, though, of course, they would have been very welcome. The quantity shipped to South America Ibis season) was practically double that for 1928—160,000 cases, as against 84,000 cases last year. This market was a most valuable one to New Zealand, in that it absorbed the whole of the large Delicious variety now being produced in the Dominion in heavy quantities that were increasing yearly. SHIPPING SPACE PROBLEM Mr Brown said the board had discussed the question of shipping space reservations for 1930 shipments. He pointed out the difficulties facing the grower in regard to space booking by reason of seasonal vagaries and weather conditions. The Board had decided to try and lighten the grower's responsibility by calling on him for totals only, and working on the previous year's percentages the board would make the necessary bookings of shipping space. Previously growers had contracted to supply certain quantities in fortnightly periods. Mr Brown pointed out that, despite certain criticisms, the responsibility for the accumulation of apples in store last season rested really with the grower, aud nut with the board. At the same time the board proposed to do everything possible to assist the grower in the matter. The board had discussed Hie question of cool storage at Wellington, where the Harbour Board proposed to make certain improvements in readiness for next season. The board were in full agreement that in the interests of the growers and their fruit the number of direct loadings of oversea steamers at Nelson should be increased as much as possible in order to reduce the amount of handling the fruit received. THE CONTINENTAL MARKET Regarding the European market, Mr Brown said the sales made in Hamburg this season had been satisfactory. The board bad decided to call on growers for quantities that would be available on a c.i.f. or f.o.b. basis in order that its London could start early negotiations for sales This was the first, season that direct shipments from the Dominion bad gone to Rotterdam and Hamburg. A tot'ill of about 120,000 cases bad been shipped, and reports indicated that I be quality of the fruit would be instrumental in building up a valuable market on the Continent. THE EXPORT OF PEARS There bad bcr,n a considerable increase in the export of pears from the Dominion. TW years ago this fruit was shippod to the United Kingdom only, but tJ.'is season the board bad sent fairly large experimental shipments to South America and (lie Continent, and there v.'i.re indications that these markets could be developed extensively. Each luaibel bad a preiVrencr for certain satieties, and the-board was trying to find nut wh-'t varieties and sizes "were most favoured. On a recent account sale received 150

crates of pears had realised a net return of .C2BO- The variety concerned was principally Doyenne du Comico, and which if it arrived in good condition, would bring luxury prices. The consignment referred to was from Nelson and the lowest price received was 13s per' crate, containing approximately 301 b. The highesT price, made was 19s a crate, equal to 3s to 4s per lb, retail. The shipping of pears required more enre'even than apples, and with the object of improving conditions the board had appointed a committee, consisting of Mr J. L. Brown (chairman), A. M. Robertson, H. G. Apsey (of Hawkes Bay, the largesV pear-producing district in the Dominion), J. A. Campbell (Director of the Horticulture Division, Department of Agriculture), and \V. Ben/ios (the board's shipping supervisor), to go fully into the question, and with power to act. Mr Brown mentioned that a Dominion exporters' conference would be held in Wellington on sth September, when delegates from the exporting districts would discuss all matters affecting the fruit export trade. The conference would be held under the auspices of the board, which would furnish for their guidance reports from the overseas markets. Provincial conferences of exporters would he held next month.