N.Z. APPLES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 5 August 1929, Page 3

N.Z. APPLES

CONTINENTAL TRADE

SHIPMENT |!*V Till; MIDDLESEX

UJNDO.N, '-,.!< .kinc. Mr 11. K. Stephens (London manage!' nl' the Eruil Export Control JJixuil) arrived from Holland lliis morning, whore lie lias been lo superintend the unloading ol a consignment of New Zealand fruil li.v tin- Middlesex. The Continental trade so far lias been satisfactory.

Mr Stephens wont over to Hamburg early in the inoiilli m the Port Hun edin at- Hie invitation of the Commonwealth and Dominion Lino-. Ho left I lie ship there anil went back by train to Rotterdam to meet the Port Fro mantle, which was carrying 17.490 eases of New Zealand apples and 6477 cases of pears for Rotterdam. These were all in beautiful condition —one of tho best cargoes, Mr Stephens says, that he has seen from the Dominion. The fruit is first placed in cod store and private buyers dispose of it at their convenience. Jonathans made 16s to 17s, Delicious iss to lbs, Glcopatras 16s to 18s, London Pippins 15s to 15s 6cl. Most of the apples are sold to South Germany, Austria, Switzri land, and France. Very lew remain in Holland. Freight to Hamburg is the same as to London. Selling charges are slightly higher, but against this cool storage charges are \erv reasonable.

At Hamburg the Pert FronianUlauded 24.000 cases of apples. Out of that the board had sold 17,000 cases c.i.f. Mr Stephens sold another 3000 cases when the boat arrived. The remainder were mainly red apples—Jonathans and Delicious—and these are being gradually cleared. Prices in Hamburg are fairly good—between Rotterdam and London figures.

The 6477 cases of pears landed at Rotterdam were mainly P. Barrys. These were, difficult to sell in London last year, but they did well in Holland. They ran from 16s to 18s a crate.

FOUR VESSELS TOGETHER It was rather unfortunate that the Mataroa, Coptic, ilerininius, and Middlesex should all have arrived at the Whitsun weekend. Together they brought about 140,000 cases, and they had "to compete against a very heavy shipment of Australian apples. Last week, therefore, the market was rather too well .supplied. Mr Stephens has given instructions to the brokers not to be in a hurry to sell, as no vessels are expected during the next fortnight. In spite of the quantities available, prices have held up fairly well. Jonathans are making 13s to 15s, and Delicious 12s 6(1 to 14s 6(1. The first of the. Stunners are making 13s to 14s. Cooking apples are scarce, so that large Dunns are being sold at from 14s to 15s, equal to the price of a dessert apple. Cox's were rather wasty, but all other varieties by these four vessels were in fair condition.

The condition of the pears by these four vessels has been variable. Winter Coles, on the whole, have been rather forward and forced sales have had to be. made at from 14s to 15s a crate, .lasephines and Gloumorccau have both been good, prices being from 15s to £1 per crate. Winter Nelis and Packman's Triumph have both been selling at about 15s a crate. Clairgcau were mostly in poor condition. Some eases sold at low figures; others had to go to the destructor. Cornice pears, for the most part, had to be. repacked, but repacked fruit was sold tor as much as 10s to 12s a trav.

FRUIT DAMAGED BY WATER Of the 16,195 eases of apples and the 600 eases of pears lauded at Rotterdam from the Middlesex, some 4000 cases have unfortunately been damaged badly by water. .Many of the eases, said Air Stephens, were 'drenched through. Tho damage appears to have been done by drippings from the grids. Snow forms on the cooling pipes, and evidently the temperature has risen enough to melt this. In any case, there should have been trays to catch any of these drippings, and these apparently were, missing. The matter is in the hands of the underwriters, and an expert survey was made yesterday. An agreement as to the amount ol damage was also arrived at yesterday at a conference attended by a representative of the shipping company, a- representative of the Dutch Government, and Mr Stephens.

A certain amount of the .Middlesex cargo landed in London was affected by water, but the damage was not by any means so severe as that disclosed at' Rotterdam. In any case, the fruit is not, put into cool store in London, and the cases dried out pretty well helore they were sold. The wet cases in Rotterdam could not be put into cold store, and they will have to be sold at any prices they will fetch. The Cornwall has just landed 9000 cases of apples at Manchester, 2000 of which have gone on 'to Newcastle. With the exception of the Cox's, the fruit is in good condition, and prices are on a par with London prices. An experimental consignment of five cases of quinces was landed a week or so ago. The fruit is known here, but it is seldom seen in the shops. The fruit was in excellent condition, and it was hoped that some enthusiasm and curiosity would be displayed by buyers. However, no keenness was shown, and two cases were sold at 15s each, one at 13s fxl. and two at 12s.