SURPLUS POTATOES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 July 1938, Page 3

SURPLUS POTATOES

SHIPMENT TO SOUTH AMERICA. GOVERNMENT DECISION. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) DUNEDIN, July 29. Consideration by the Minister of Marketing of the plight of potato growers who, it is estimated, have a surplus of 8000 tons on their hands, has resulted in the Government coming to an arrangement with South American authorities for delivery of a considerable quantity on consignment.

This means that for the first time the Government has taken a hand in the marketing of potatoes and it is understood that a Canterbury merchant has been authorised to purchase on behalf of the Government 2000 tons from growers. These are to be shipped to South America on consignment and the price to be paid to growers here is £3 a ton, sacks included, on trucks. A shipment of 50 tons has' also been made privately by a Dunedin firm.

As a consequence of efforts being made to reduce stocks in New Zealand, there is a better tone in the market, but there has been no change in local quotations. Best Arran Chiefs are slow of sale at £4 a ton, sacks included. According to reports from the north, shipping values from Canterbury to the North Island advanced 10s a ton, but there has been a slight easing since. The quotation for shipment to the North Island is £3 17s 6d a ton, sacks in, for whites. The Australian market, so far as the disposal of New Zealand grown I tubers is concerned, remains unchanged. There is still no arrangement made for exports to that country. Potatoes are selling at high prices in all the States and if an outlet could be found in Australia it would soon have a distinct effect on the New Zealand market.

Although it is estimated that there is a surplus of 8000 tons of potatoes in New Zealand, it must be remembered that the quality of some of the stocks is not as good as in previous

years. The weather affected the growth of the tubers and there is a larger percentage of wastage than usual. Therefore this factor may affect the actual quantity of sound surplus potatoes in the Dominion.