Banana Prospects in Tonga,
p. 40 · Read in the full issue
From Our Own Correspondent.
Nukualofa, May 21.
IHE banana prospects are not too encouraging.
The April shipment of 3,900 cases just paid expenses, but as the price paid to producers was 1/- per case, they are not satisfied.
The s.s. “Karetu” took away 4,000 cases odd on the 20th inst. It is understood that the Government had an f.o.b. price of 5/- per case guaranteed by an Auckland firm for 3,500 cases.
Presumably, the balance will be sold on consign ment.
It is rumoured that the shippers of the vari ous island groups are coming to an agreement with regard to the terms upon which they will dispose of their produce in the future. This is a good proposition for, though the Auckland buyers are eager to obtain fruit, the price real ised by the growers is seldom profitable when sold on consignment. Some form of control to prevent flooding of the market is most necessary.