APPLES FOR OVERSEAS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 610, 12 March 1929, Page 12

APPLES FOR OVERSEAS

BOOKINGS NOT FILLED SHORT SHIPMENTS IN SOLTH (From Our Own Correspondent) _ WELLINGTON, Mondav. Present indications point to a greatly reduced export of apples from the Dominion this year compared with last season, when the shipments exceeded 1.000,000 boxes. It is now estimated that the total crop this year will not furnish more than Buo,ooo cases for export. For some reason there is a considerable shortage in the quantities of fruit at present available for shipment overseas. The total quantity loaded up to the present stage of the season is much smaller than for the last two or three years. Growers shipping contracts made early in the season indicated that shipments would be equal to those of last year, but they have had to be modified very considerably.

It was estimated that shipments from Hawke's Bay would be about 200,000 cases, but it is now said that 120,000 cases will be as much as can be expected from that district. The Nelson bookings of shipping space were made on an estimated export of 650;000 cases, but the total from that province is now estimated at something under 500,000 cases.

Growers appear to have booked as much space as possible for South America and the Continental markets, but whether they have been wise in so doing is considered doubtful, since prices on the English market this year should be quite good, especially since there is a distinct shortage in the Tasmanian export crop. The South American market is becoming increasingly important to New Zealand, and there will be an increase in shipments this season. Last year Montevideo and Rio de Janeiro received 87,000 cases of apples, and it is estimated that this season’s shipments will total between 100,000 and 120.000 cases. An effort is also being made to develop a trade in pears with South America. No definite information is available as to the varieties wanted, but a trial is being made with a shipment o» eight varieties each of 100 packages for Montevideo, in addition to 3,000 boxes of Winter Nells for Rio de Janeiro. These will be included in the first shipment of over 39,000 boxes of apples, which will be taken by the Pakeha, sailing about March 22. The Rimutaka, sailing about April 12, will take 30,000 boxes ot apples for Montevideo. .. , For direct loadings of fruit at Nelson > s e ?otamngTß i 0 t 0 1 00 a hoxe”'up Se to earYy ir n he M^™°in?u 0 s t 1s b !o I °oid d CS e?tlS^YisVßnth-s ment will be exceeded by 20.000 boxes.