THE POTATO MARKET.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 135, 9 June 1926, Page 12

THE POTATO MARKET.

FURTHER AUSTRALIAN DEMAND.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday.

There was little change in the potato market this morning, but in the afternoon Sydney inquiries commenced to come in for June potatoes, and sales were made at £7 5/, the equivalent of £6 5/ for coastal. July potatoes for coastal trade are quoted at £6 15/ to £7. Farmers are not considering offers of under £5 5/ on trucks for the current month for potatoes for export. The Katoa is booked to leave for Auckland to-night, the Kaimanawa on Thursday, and the Wingatui at the end of the week. It is unlikely that they will take more than very light cargoes.

The Karetu is booked to sail for Australia on June 14. She is practically a potato boat on this trip, and, as space has been cut down, it is apparent that she is taking a substantial cargo. An estimate from Lyttelton and southern ports is 20,000 sacks. It is rather remarkable that shipments from Lyttelton to the end of May are less this year than last, approximating 68,000 sacks, as against 72,000 last year. However, heavier export has taken place from southern ports. It is estimated that Australian vessels took from all porte 38,000 sacks to the end of May, of which about 13,000 were from the south. A further 30,000 sacks are probable in two June vessels. As throwing an interesting sidelight on the position no potatoes went to Australia last yoar before the first week in August. The market this afternoon showed a distinct revival. Those operators who forced it clown to £5 5/ for June potatoes and £5 10/ for July will be disposed to regret their over-selling. Australian wheat prices have eased, and it is understood that 7/ a bushel on trucks is not offering locally. According to the threshing returns there will be a better crop than the official estimate by 350,000 bushels, but this makes no difference so far as the need of importation is concerned.