GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 8, 11 January 1927, Page 4

GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

THE SEASON'S OUTLOOK.

AUSTRALIA WANTS POTATOES

AND CANADA ONIONS

There has been no marked alteration in tbo potato market since Christmas. Ample supplies are coming forward from Pukekoho and other districts, and it is evident that plenty will be available to satisfy the requirements of this centre until the southern crop becomes available in March. There has been no alteration in southern quotations, although it is reported that inquiries have been received from Australia for April-May delivery. However, it is not anticipated that these will lead to a grt®t deal of business, as latest reports are to the effect that the Commonwealth crtP is likely to prove sufficient for domestic requirements. There is every expectation that this Dominion will again have ,t large crop, and unless an export outlet is obtained values are likely to be low. Onions. Supplies of Canadian are now exhausted, but there are small quantities of [Victorian on the market, which supplement local supplies until the latter become available in larger quantities. Inquiries have been received from Vancouver, but it is not possible to state whether any considerable business will result. In the absence of export, there are likely to be ample supplies, firstly from the Pukekohe district, and later from the South Island. Maize Very Scarce. This market is exceptionally firm, and the outlook is for high prices. As previously indicated in these columns, the harvest in the Poverty Bay and East Coast districts is much below requirements. The last South African shipment has practically all gone into consumption, and the market is bare of supplies. Under the circumstances, a move is on foot to ask the Government for the removal of the duty, so that importations may be made to till the gap until next season's harvest. Wheat. Australian quotations are practically unaltered. Wheat purchased for January shipment is coming by the Kaiwarra, and practically the whole of the shipment will go into immediate consumption. It is not likely that wheat will be purchased for February delivery at much below the previous rates. According to the permits issued, there will be a very small hold-over when the duty is re-imposed at the end of February, so that this market will then have to call upon the South Island for supplies. Based on the quotations now available for foi'ward delivery, this will mean a higher landed cost at this port. Chaff. Stocks are light on account of a delay in the receipt of new season's harvest from Blenheim. Wet weather has delayed cutting, and arrivals are not expected before the end of the month or early in February. Stocks of Australian will barely suffice to bridge the gap, but it is not likely that further considerable quantities will be imported. The present outlook is for more reasonable prices for chaff during the coming season as the quantities available from the South are likely to be larger than last year provided good harvest conditions obtain. Moreover, the demand is steadily being curtailed by the continued advance of motor traction. Oats. This market is weak and it would now appear that stocks held in the Dominion are ample for requirements until the new B £ a a? n ' B Crop becomes available. As with chaff, 'the outlook is for an easier tendencv in prices. Bran and Pollard. , The demand for bran is not particularly keen just now owing to the abundance of B l 'een feed, and there is no difficulty in lulnlling orders. Pollard, on the other hand, is extremely scarce, and even with Australian importations there is a difficulty in filling all requirements. Wholesale Current Prices. Flouiv-'New Zealand, £18 10/ per ton, ,e " 8 , 2 T P°. 1 ': cent discount for 2001b sacks Ibc&l a lid Southern; Australian, £19 ei ship, £19 10/ ex store. Sharpy (ind Bran.—Local sharps, £11 10/ per toil; 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, 4/6 per bushel. Wheat: Australian, 8/3; Canadian, 7/6; Australian, Januaryl'ebruary delivery, 7/6. Maize: Best quality,,B/3 per bushel, ex wharf 8/., Barley: !■'eed, 6/9 per bushel; Cape seed, 8/2 per bushel. Maize meal: 15/6 per 1001b. Barley ineal: 14/6 per 1001b. Chaff.-Blenheim, prime, £12 5/, f.a.c., ill ton ex store; Australian, in bags, £10 o/ to £10 10/; new season's .Blenheim, January delivery, £10. Onions.—Canadian (picked over), 17/ to 18/ per case; local, 12/6. Potatoes.—Pukekohe, £8 10/, at Auckland.

Peas—Blue Prussion, No. 1, 13/ per bushel; Partridge, No. 1, 10/ per bushellower grade, 6d less.