FRUIT AND PRODUCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 279, 23 November 1921, Page 4

FRUIT AND PRODUCE.

THE STRAWBERRY CROPS

DECLINE IN SUPPLY.

POTATOES.IN* KEEN DEMAND. One effect of the recent dry weather has been a sudden decrease in the supply of strawberries coming on the market, but with a good fall of rain during the ■warm weather prevailing at present it is confidently expected that a continued decline in the supply may >be arrested before it lias gone very far. Sinep last Friday, said an auetioneeer, the supply has fallen almost by one-third. But besides this large reduction in the supply there is the further effect of the dry weather in the depreciation of the quality of the fruit, because lack of moisture preventß proper development. Aβ yet this is hardly noticeable, but the same auctioneer was of opinion that if an adequate fall of rain did not come very soon those strawberries which are at present ripening will be small and tough compared with supples that are now in the hands of the consumer.

Potatoes are in keen demand, and the improved quality has caused a rise in price. Old potatoes are practically off the market. Early plums are making their appearance, and locally gxown hothouse tomatoes are coming forward in considerable quantities, but are not commanding high prices on account of the competition of imports from the Cook Islands, which ar e ripe aud must be dispoecd of quickly. Some local grapes were sold at yesterday's auction for 4/ per lb. Local cherries arc also coming forward in small quantities, the prices realised varying between 1/ and ]/T per lb. Local apples, with the exception of Stunners, are almost off the market. Good quality are selling for 13/fi a case, and the American apples that were brought by the Makura about a month ago are still on the market and are selling for £1 a case. Loganberries are also beginning to appear, and apricots should be coming to hand in a week or so.

The shipment of fruit which will be unloaded from the Ulimaroa consists of ISSO cases, chiefly oranges and cherries. This is a smaller shipment than is generally brought by the intercolonial steamers from Sydney, and it is not expected to include any bananas.