Cook Is. Tomatoes
p. 19 · Read in the full issue
Rarotonga, Aug. 17.
PRICES for Rarotonga tomatoes this season have been the highest for many years. This is due not only to the shortage in New Zealand, but also to the reduced cargo space available Between 2,000 and 2,500 boxes is the maximum shipment yet cleared—a quan tity which might barely affect the Auck land market, let alone the rest of the country.
Prices to date have ranged from 9/- to 13/- f.o.b. for a box of 22 lb. net weight —an excellent return to the grower,
although he may be able to ship only a portion of his crop.
There has been a natural rush with late planting, in the hopes of a more substantial shipment when the orange season is over. The possibility of any ship ping services at all, towards the end of the year, is quite in the air, however.
Tomatoes are one of the few classes of produce that have not yet been taken under control by the New Zealand Gov ernment.
Mr. H. H. Hickling, Resident Agent of Mangaia Island, in the Lower Cook Group, has been appointed Resident Agent of Aitutaki.