THE MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

Auckland Star, Issue 291, 9 December 1925, Page 4

THE MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

ACTIVE WHOLESALE TRADE. NEW SEASON'S DATES BEING DELIVERED. . RETAIL GROCERS BUSY. " Auckland Star " omce, Wednesday, December 9, 1925. General grocery continues to increase in activity, and wholesalers are srtU working overtime in an endeavour to Keep pace with the rush or business. Countij demands have been very heavy, and.all businesses opened up tins week with unabated volume. City orders seem to have slackened off to some extent, but the rush rrom this quarter is expected to open in real earnest next week, when booking; Tor January account commences, Date? were expected to have been delivered last week, bin were received too late into store lor much to be done, but all deliveries should be completed early this week. Further supplies or new season s salmon arrived by the Aprangl on Monday last, and indents against forward contracts will be completed as l'ar as possible. It is unfortunate that packers have not sent a Tull range, and certain brands or the higher grades are still short, which will put both the wholesale and retail to a considerable amount or inconvenience until they .come to hand. Spot prices on local requirements are llrmtng up. Sockeyes are inclined to be short and are dearer. Cohoes have hardened slightly, but firmer prices are inevitable as soon as the drastic cut in deliveries commences to be felt here. Alaska Reds are costing higher, and stocks or this grade on spot are excellent buying:, in view of the fact that further landings will Increase in price Immediately they come to hand. Sicily almonds are short, with. most merchants having supplies lying in Sydney awaitingtranshipment, but it Is very problematical if all consignments will land in time Tor the Christmas trade. Barcelonas and sort shell almonds are getting: scarce, and any available stocks arc- now at a premium. Nut kernels have been In good demand, and supplies are now about cleaned up. Shelled walnuts are now all sold, and it is doubtrul ir rurther supplies will arrive In time. Peanuts in shell are now unobtainable, but shipments of kernels that arrived last week will help wholesalers to tide over this difficulty. Pineapples are in good demand, with many Singapore brands and packings now cleaned up. Holders are endeavouring to spread their stocks as far as possible, as the present demand is almost certain to clear stocks before the next arrivals come to hand in February next. Hawaiian are in better supply, and, owing to the recent reductions in nrst cost, are being: retailed at prices that are encouraging a g-ood demand for this high quality rruit. Olive*. Reports rrom Spain indicate that the coming , crop of olives will be considerably short or first expectations. Packers are already paying exorbitant prices for Queens, and it would appear that available stocks will not exceed 14,000 casks, which includes.about 4000 casks or carry over. Cherriet. French and English quotations are both weaker to the extent or ljd per lb. Tapiocas. The Penang and Singapore market, arter a period or sharp advances, commenced to ease back a little, and although most o> the New Zealand buyers had operated on quite a large portion of their requirements some time previously at lower rates they were still short on their usual quota, which helped to keep their interest Pllve in fie market. The Sussex, which is carryingdirect shipments, was late in leaving l,u»cutta, so that it will probably be some time in 'February before consignments arrive here. Penang was tho next port or call, and this next week-end should see the final loading placed on board for this port. Ordere which were cabled up last Thursday and. Friday were sent up at list rates, agents 'who had previously been rather encouraging counter-offers refusing to accept at other than list prices, owing to the lack or time at their disposal Tor return cables. Singapore sago and tapioca have remained steady at list rates since the beginning or November, while Penang varieties show a decline or live to ten shillings per ton Tor about the same period. ■ Twines. ■ Qn account or the extraordinarily high, prices ruling in the world's' markets for Jute, local manufacturers have been compelled to revise their prices and advance the following grades or twine 1/ per dozen: 202, 204, and 206. Peppers. Continued strength Is reported -In regard to the situation on all spices. Peppers again are the feature with their ?reat strength and activity at high prices. Prices were again advanced last week, in keeping with the reports or an acute crop shortage this season. Sintajore black last.recorded an advance of fid 5)&, lb l, SUwapore white Sjd, Sarawak white ljd, ana Montok white 2jd per lb. ' Bum Arabic. '■ This market Shows an easier tendency, and'quotations are now down 2/ per cwt. south African Evaporated Fruits. Packers advise that it is still too early to give any indication or new season's prices, as the dimensions .or the crop cannot be estimated so early. The growers are asking ror very high prices, so that they may take full advantage or any packer who is forced unduly early into the market. Indications at present point to a poor harvest or seconds and thirds apricots, which means a repetition of last year's shortage, so that buyers are recommended to cover their requirements subject to approval or opening prices when Peaches.—Packers report that stocks or ail grades or evaporated peaches liy S a *«»' t hands are now all cleaned up. if '£?* V tne new season's crop becomes Cocoa Butter. Wool Packs. Smyrna Flge. Primary markets continue to shnw . n bY d s e ng 0 k Sv°i prices have moved up 16/ per cwt in con sequence, indent rates lor »Bib boxei have appreciated considerably durin* thn Corn Sacks Two and seven-eighth pound have increased 2*d ror March and declined }d ror July. Two and three-quarter pound have declined id ror both March and July snip nicnt^. Ceylon Tea. "At the weekly sale, hew in Colombo on the. 2nd inst., 1,800,0001b was sent into auction. Demand was strong for all useftu grades, while the same general activity Is again reported. Thin liquors were irregular and commons steady. Quality of uncountry sorts proved to be thin, while lowcountry grades were plain and dun. no price alterations are announced for this week.- Exchange is quoted .at 1/6 15-32. Walnuts. ' French walnut • halves have shown considerable advances during- the past three weeks, latest lists of revised quotations being- at an advance of 25/ per ton. Smyrna Sultanas. , Two and three crown Smyrna sultanas are now unprocurable for forward shipment, while four crown are almost in the same position, and are not. expected to be available Tor- any lengthy period. Prices have not changed since last report, and are remaining-very flrm. . ;. ; Raisins. Primary markets on seeded continue In a strong position, -advices now being received of a further 2/6 per cwt advance on this grade. Bulk Thompson's Seedless are also firm,' - advances' .listed being approximately 2/ per cwt; "; • - Norwegian Slid. ;;." ~ A small parcel or old-season's slid has been - sold recently at a reduction of 1/ per case on .the latest prices listed! The market-generally is considered to be in a strong position, however, as If Is now recorded that the present pack, is a rallure, and one-sixteenths have already* shown small advances in* consequence. Dates. .Loose pack dates arc- now listed on a "jm market, late quotations showing tSi«? ? sor 2/ . Per cwt. Supplies are getmSs tft& m n, i l Iβ'considered unlikely ca?oUr ?h Wi U be sufficient stock to take inched P A e , scn , t deman d, which has trades O?at n ZL al l Prppojrtfon to other

Nutmaga. Tlie reaturc of this market has been the gradual fall in prices during the past rew weeks, after a period of exceedingly high prices, although indent rates are not yet considered to Bo low enough, to warrant merchants laying- in any more stock than that required for actual necessities, so that present shipments ooming forward are likely to be very small. Pineapples. ■ With the exception or a Tall of 4d per i dozen on cheap quality cubes, prices or all other varieties remain unchanged. The i last advices received from Singapore i indicated that the market was a iirming one, and that it would not be , long before this market would feul the effect of the increase in prices of the primary markets. Mace. Indent rates remain rairly steady, but buyers do not seem inclined to operate to : any great extent till prices Tall to within i reasonable distance or prices that -were ruling- about six months ago. As a result or the higher prices local rates have advanced approximately CO per cent. Drapery. Drapery houses are now well into the usual Christmas rush or business, which, however, has been rather late in commencing this year. Cotton dress material departments are llnding trade very heavy,! probably owing to the weather up to the ' present not being very conducive to buyers purchasing their new season's dresses, but with the festive season so ' close to hand everyone has to think or j the season's requirements, and, in conse- i quence, the departments that cater for ! this class or trade are being well patronised. From the millinery section or the trade come very gratifying- returns, as well as rrom the fancy and toy departments. Bathing requisites are not selling quite so freely as was anticipated, but It fs thought that trade In this quarter win continue to improve in leaps and bounds now. All or the shops are carrying good stocks or the ! new season's goods, and the public generally are flndiug a very nice range to choose from. Wholesale Currant Prices. Butter.—Superfine quality creamery butter, booked l/7i per lb, prompt cash, Anchor 1/Oi per lb, Opotiki l/OJ per lb; first grade factory.- i/6i per lb booked and 1/6 per lb lor prompt cash; second I grade rectory, booked 1/5$ per lb, and 1/5 per lb for prompt cash; farmers' separator, 1/2 per lb. Cheese.—First grade - factory, medium size, 10|d to iijd per lb; loar, i/l per lb. Bacon.—Hams. 1/a to i/4 per lb; rolled hams, 1/3 to 1/0 per lb; boned hams, 1/34 to 1/54 per ibi bacon, sides, 1/1 to 1/2 per lb; rolled sides, 1/3 to i/i per lb; middles, 1/4 per lb; shoulders, tod to 1/ per lb; rolled shoulders, 1/ to J/t per lb Lard: Bulk, lOd to 1/ per lb; pats, lid to l/l per lb. Flour.—Local and Southern, 2001b sacks £19 15/ per ton, loo's £20 10/ per ton, 50's £21 per ton, 25's £21 15/ per ton, less 2i per cent discount. Sharps and Bran.—Local sharps, £10 10y per ton, bran £0 10/ per ton. se/^iowS ,010 ' 24/ per cwl: eTOam ' Biuestone.—"32/6 per cwt.