STRAITS SETTLEMENTS PRODUCE.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 2, 3 January 1924, Page 10

STRAITS SETTLEMENTS PRODUCE.

(By Mail.) Tapiocas.—The market for the better grade seeds and pearls is quiet, but fluke continues to be a strong market in consequence of the excellent demand from the United Kingdom and Continent for prompt shipment. An advance is reported in tile Pcnang market, the principal buyers at the present time being the various European I exporting houses. I Peppers.—After the recent advance this market is again quiet, but steady. Thirtysix toils of black and 02 tous of white arcreported sold during the week under review. It is reported that -.his year's crop of pepknown—but supplies are not reaching this market quite so freely, and it is natural that suppliers should lie adopting a rather cautious attitude at present. Nutmegs and .Maci are still very active, prices having risen steadily and sharply. It is reported that the crop .it Banda —one of the producing centres—has been adversely affected by bad weather. We think, however, that the sharp rise in values is due to the rather unexpected demand from the Coutinent anil from America, wlu-uec there have been almost daily inquiries at advancing prices. Pineapples.—This market continues to remain in a very unsatisfactory position, as it is getting daily more difficult to consummate business with Europe—owing to the difference in the ideas of values between buyers and sellers. Next season's crop can only be canned and sold at higher prices than those ruling, but. buyers, generally speaking, will not take in stocks at present prices, and it is bard to say what 'will happen when the cost is increased nest year. On the other hand, oanuers have contracted for their supplies of tinplates, sugar, timber, etc.. and sooner or later they will be forced to commence canning operations, land fiomo of the less fortunate financially I placed canners will be forced to sell at a I loss. From a consumer's point of view, present values are sufficiently low, as they must show a loss to canners. Rice tßangoon): Buying has been done by shippers to Bombay, Java and the Straits Settlements. Inquiries were received from Java, but few transactions were put through, as sellers immediately jumped their prices up to such nn extent .that it instantly checked further inquiries and even imade business impossible. This had the effect of gradually bringing prices down ■again. A alight demand from France for brokens has also been reported. (By Cable.) fMngrrr, Crystallised.—Quotations have been very firm, but late cables advise a slight weakening of the Hongkong market, and to-day indent rates arc gd of a penny down. Soy. — The price of Tong le Chan is unchanged since last advice. Peanuts.—Chinese: Values have receded Rlightly, both unsliellcd and shelled being 1/ per cwt cheaper. : Coeonuut.—There is a strong demand for both thread nnd chip cut, and both renang and Ceylon values continue high. London storks* are standing at Just over 0000 cases, but supplies at tin- producing ceutres are short, due to small ooeoanut crops and to heavy floods. Higher prices are anticipated over the next two months. I Cocoa. —There is a strong demand for Xo. '1 Estate and. the bf-tter quality natlvegrotim, No. 1 cocoa, and prices are inclined to firm. The ilt-mand for lower qualities is smaller and lower prices are anticipated. SOUTHERN FRUIT TRADE. Leaders in the Duucdln fruit trade say that the Christmas of this year has been the best of all recent Christniases in respect to the volume and buoyancy of business. A 'continuous deniaud was maintained for the choicest fruit and the people, were prepared to pay for it- Early peaches :iud iiprlcots ure coming to hand abundantly from Central Otago. Much of this fruit is small, but properly coloured and of good flavour. Potatoes and green peas are still in demand and keeping up in price. In fact there was |au upward tendency- thisiiuorning. ,r > ::