GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 86, 13 April 1926, Page 4

GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

POTATOES STILL PLENTIFUL. AUSTRALIAN" WHEAT DEARER. The market is still fully supplied with potatoes from Pukekohe, which open up In nrst-ciass condition, it is not expected that Southern-grown will appear on this market berore the end of the month, aud meanwhile, as a result or the Australian demand having ceased, the market in the South Island shows a weakening tendency. The onion market continues to favour the seller. It is understood that merchants' supplies of Pukekohe-grown are almost exhausted, and growers who still hold stocks are demanding higher prices. There is little business in Southern oats, and the market is, If anything, easier. However, this does not affect the Auckland position meanwhile, as Ihe bulk of its supplies arc coming from Canada. Since last reports oats have advanced 10/ per ton, and further rises arc forecasted. The next shipment will arrive by the West Nivara about the. end of this month. The chair market is still firm, and it is reported thai Hangitikei merchants, who usually export large quantities all over the .North Island, arc endeavouring, as a result of their own shortage, to purchase for delivery from June onwards. on the other hand, Australian quotations have slightly declined, and rurtiier supplies Have been ordered rrom Adelaide. Unfortunately, the chafT from this source, though br-'-i.t and sweet, is but slightly oated. The long looKed ror shipment or African maiz<- is now uue on April 24. Practically the whole or it has been sold for distribution direct rrom the ship's side. Further quantities are not expected berore about July-August. For one thing direct shipment is not readily obtainable, and ror another there is always a danger that old season's maize, which is all that is available prior to those months, may be weevil inrected. Contrary to expectations the Australian wheat market has rurther advanced, and Is now rrom 2d to 3d per bushel higher than it was a week ago. Under the circumstances local merchants are buying purely rrom hand to mouth. Both bran and pollard are in short supply in the Dominion, and the keen demand now existing Has made it necessary to import rrom Australia. Wholesale Current Prices. Flour.—_ 19 15/ per ton. less 2* per cent discount for 2001b sacks or both local ami southern. Sharps ana Bran. —Local sharps, £10 iO/ per ton; bran. £9 10/ per ton; Australian b.-an, £1110/: Australian pollard, 212 10/; oit pollard, £S 10/ per ion. Grain.—New Zealand oats: Feed, B Cartons, 5/10 per bushel; Canadian, 5/9. New Zealand Algerian seed, 7/; Australian, 7/6 per bushel. Wheat: 8/0 ex store, 8/6 ex ship. Barley.- Keed, 6/9 per bushel; Cape seed, 8/2 per bushel. Maize meal: 15/6 per iOJlb. Barley meal: 14/6 per 1001b. Chair.—Blenheim, prime. £12; r.a.q.. £11 10/ per ton, ex store; Australian compr.essea, no io/. Onions.—Local. £14 per ton. Potatoes.—£G to £7, on trucks. Peas. —Blue Prussian, No. 1, 12/ per bushel; partridge. No. 1, 7/9 per bushel; lower grades, 6d less. Fertilisers. A steady demand has continued this last week, and, as the weather has been lavourablc, Tanners have been busy top-dressing and sowing down permanent pastures. This demand is expected to continue right throughout this month. Tlie chief demand is ror high grade super, basic super, and other phosphatic lines, and it is expected that available stocks will be ample, to meet requirements. The s.s. AngloColumbian is at present discharging a part j cargo of American sulphur Tor local super manufacturers, and the s.s. Wonganella is expected at Auckland next week with a cargo or bulk phosphate rrom Ocean island. Retail cash prices are as follow: £ s. (J. Super, 44-46 per cent 5 12 6 Super, 36-38 per cent 5 2 6 Basic super 5 2 6 Nauru phosphate (llnely ground) 5 2 6 Bonedust (Calcutta) ......... 11 15 0 Sulphate or potash. is 00 Kainii, 14 per cent 5 10 0 Potash manure, 30 per cent .... 7 5 0 Potash manure, <20 per cent :.... 6 -6-0 Nitrate of soda. 17 to 6 Sulphate of ammonia ... 19 0 0