GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 180, 1 August 1925, Page 6

GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

POTATOES DISORGANISED. AUCKLAND TAKES 38.000 SACKS. "BEARS" GAIX ON OAT?. , (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, Friday. Following on the break in the potato market recorded last week, exceptionally Icavy shipments to Auckland have caused further disturbances, but a slight improvement from the weak and disorganised condition to -which the market had settled, was noticeable this morning. The firmer note may be a temporary phase, but it does look as if many merchants who preferred to devote attention to the less risky coastal business •while prices were rising, now will turn towards the trade offering with Australia.. Australia is offering £8 a ton f-0.b., s.i., for the first available shipment, and it would give more for September shipment. For New Zealand coastal shipment the rate is £6 15/ a ton f.0.b., s.i., prompt delivery, and for August-September, sales have been made from £7 to £7 2/6. These prices on the surface offer a wide margin in favour of export to Australia, but'the margin is reduced when such items are taken •into consideration as the higher commission for Australian business and the extra cost involved through the necessity of providing new sacks, stencils, etc. Several Christchurch merchants are now preparing consignments for export, and a report is current that supplies will be shipped from Auckland to Sydney. Shipments to Auckland in the past ten days have established a record for this season. In this period the following vessels lifted supplies from the South Island: Katoa 13,000 sacks, Waihora 13,500. Wingatio 12,000; total 38,500. The Wanaka now is loading at Timaru, and probably from 5000 to 6000 sacks will go north, and the on Monday will take a small shipment from Lyttelton. In the face of this the improved inquiry this morning is encouraging. Fortunately recent shipments arrived on a bare market. A sale was reported this morning at £7 2/6 f.0.b., S.i., for August, and growers have accepted £5 10/ a ton at country stations. .The oats market is in an extraordinary position. It is quiet and weak, and yet oversellers, covering deliveries they must make, are riot finding it easy to acquire supplies. Oversellers are selling for distant months so that they have, confidence in their judgment. Quotations for prompt A's run from 4/4 to 4/4J a bushel, f.0.b., s.i., but the easier feeling for A's is not quite so pronounced for B's, which are quoted at about 4/ to 4/1. For forward delivery oats are very weak, October-De-cember B's being quoted at 3/11 to 4/, and A's at 4/2. Quotations vary considerably, however, and can be treated as nominal." Another range, given this time for September-December, is 4/2* to 4/3 for A's "and 4/1 for B's. So far overeellers are gaining ground in the market tug-of-wa-r. Tlie Bluff has not. been a port from which much shipment has been made, and values there are; relatively high. It remains to be seen Trfiether that port will be declared for : ehipment for August deliveries. It is almost impossible to obtain good ■bright chaff, so that rates for that grade of £4 to £4 5/ a ton at country stations are nominal.