GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 302, 21 December 1926, Page 4

GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

POTATO MARKET STEADY. PLENTY OF AUSTRALIAN CHAFF. With the advent of Christmas, the demand for potatoes has been keen, and quotations have slightly advanced in consequence. However, this is probably ouly a passing phase, as thero are ample stocks in sight, aud no reason lor high price levels. A certain amount of speculative business has been done with the South for forward delivery on the basis of ±"5 f.0.b., but the quantity is not larpe. It is believed that a large area has again been planted by Southern farmers, and uuder these circumstances local merchants prefer to await the trend of events. Unless Australia comes into the market there is no reason for any anxiety as to supplies when the season comes round. As a matter of fact. Melbourne merchants are quoting potatoes to Sydney at £6 on trucks, from which it would appear that Australia is not likely, in the early months of the year, to call on New Zealand lor potatoes. Onions. The stocks of Canadian are now about exhausted. During the last few weeks there has been a good deal of loss entailed in picking over. This, on top of a weak market brought about by over supplies, has meant a considerable loss to some of the local importers. A few small lots of Victorian Globe have arrived, aud these, with the balance of the Canadian, ■will be sufficient to satisfy the market until the local crop is available in quantity. Maize. There is no alteration in this market, which continues firm. The cargo of South African, ex the Phalatta, has all been distributed, the market absorbing this large quantity quite easily. No more is expected, from the same quarter as the South African crop was a light one. Arrivals from the coast and the Bay of Plenty are not nearly equal to requirements. Everything points to a continuance of high values in this line. Oats. After a long speii of dullness, with prices unaltered, there has been a slight movement in the oats market, and prices have advanced. Both local and Southern millers have been buying. There is not much doing in feed lines. Chaff. The Wingatui has arrived with another cargo of Tasmanian chaff, and this will be sufficient to see merchants over the holidays. Since last report Australian prices have shown a sharp advance, and it is now difficult to get quotations for forward deliver}-. However, this should cause no inconvenience locally, as the Southern crop will be available shortly. Wheat. The Wingatui is now discharging a further quantity of Victorian wheat, the quality of which is exceptionally good. Fairly heavy purchases have been from this source for additional supplies to arrive in January and February, after which the duty is to be re-imposed. Latest reliable estimates of the Southern crop seem to indicate that the yield will be a million bushels short of the Dominion's requirements, that at some time a call will have to be made on outside countries for this amount. Bran and Pollard. Bran is in plentiful supply as the demand is not keen -with bo much green feed . available, and prices have been reduced £1 per ton. Pollard, however, is scarce, and shipments are coming forward from Australia to make up the local shortage. Flax. There is a fair demand for the lower grades of flax. For low, fair, £34 10/ per ton, London, is being offered. The inquiry for high, -fair, which was in greater request recently, seems to- have fallen off. Apparently Continental buyers are satisfied with the lower grade for their present needs, and are not willing to pay the extra £2 asked for high-fail , '. Wholesale Currenf Prices. Flour.—New Zealand, £18 10/ per ton, less 2% per cent discount for 2001b sacks of both local and Southern. Austrahan, £19 ex ship, £10 10/ ex. store. Sharps and Bran.—Local sharps, £11 10/ per ton; bran, £8 10/ per ton. Australian bran, £10 5/; Australian pollard, £12 10/; oat pollard, £8 10/ per ton. Grain.—New Zealand oats, feed, B. Gartons, 4<'9 per busheL Wheat: Australian, 8/3; Canadian, 7/10; Australian, JanuaryFebruary deliver}", 7/6. Maize: Best quality 8/ per bushel, ex wharf 7/9. Barley: Feed, 6/9 per bushel; Cape seed, 8/2 per bushel. Maize meal, 15/6 per 1001b. Barley meal, 14/6 per 1001b. Chaff.—Blenheim, prime, £12 o/,_ f.a.c., 10/ per ton ex store; Australian, :n bags, £10 5/ to £10 10/; new season's Blenheim, January delivery, £10. Onions.—Canadian, (picked over), It/ to 18 potatoe^.— Pukekohe, £11 at Auckland. Peas —Blue Prussian, No. 1, 13/ per bushel; partridge. No. 1, 10/ per bushel; lower grade, 6d less.