Passion Fruit
p. 15 · Read in the full issue
Canada’s Interest Inquiries About Norfolk Is.
DISCUSSIONS continue in regard to Norfolk Island passion-fruit.
It was announced that a well known Australian canning firm con templated sending a representative to N.I. to inquire into the possibility of establishing a small canning plant there —or, alternatively, making con tracts for the purchase of the whole fruit, for shipment to Australia. But inquiries by this journal indicate that the firm has lost interest in the mat ter.
Meanwhile, Mr. F. L. Edwards, sec retary of the Sydney Chamber of Manufactures, who has been Norfolk Island’s very good friend in this mat ter has had a communication from a N.I. planter, saying that he intends pulping next season, and asking for particulars of the passion fruit market; and from a representative of a firm which is introducing Australian pro ducts to Canada, asking about supplies of passion-fruit pulp. Both inquiries are receiving attention.
Inquiries by this journal show that there is a definite, world-wide, growing market for passion-fruit pulp, but the main obstacles at the moment are lack of guarantees of supply and of qual ity. If they can be overcome, much may be done. Up to date, although much hag been said about N.I. passion fruit. no one has given any indication of the quantity available. The last export figures available are:
Tracing through the officials reports, one finds the following figures quoted:
It is evident that the vines per acre, and the yield per vine, are very vari able quantities. The publisher of The Pacific Islands Monthly has written directly to the Planters’ Association, to ask if that body can give any infor mation or advice which may assist in the establishment of the industry.
Passion Fruit.
Pulp.
Cases.
Cases. 1927-28 .. .. ... 358 .. . . 208 1928-29 .. .. ... 243 . . . . 616 1929-30 .. ,. ... 512 .. . . 580
1925 . . ..
Acres.
Vines. 6.500 Est. Yield in Bushels. 3.800 1926 . . . . . . . - 2>'4 1,823 l.’OO 1927 . . . . , . . . 2 >2 1,965 1.600 1928 . . . .. .. 47 3 i 38,159 — 1929 .. . , ... 31 25,028 —