GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 20, 25 January 1927, Page 4

GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

ANOTHER DROP IN POTATOES. MAIZE VERY SCARCE. BIG SUPPLIES OF ONIONS. Potatoes have further eased in price since Inst report, as the result of the large quantities that are coming forward, chiefly from Pukekohe. The Southern market for forward delivery has also eased another 2/6 per ton. Latest reports arc to the effect that the South Island potato districts are likely to have a good yield, and as the prospect of unloading a portion in Australia appears to be diminishing, the market is weak. A Southern report indicates the position there as follows: "Forward business in potatoes remains very dull, and prices have cased somewhat, the best price that merchants are offering now being £3 7/6 a ton on trucks. A few weeks ago potatoes were sold forward at over £5 a ton f.0.b., but now buyers arc not prepared to give more than tJ4 15/. Merchants are not speculating to the usual extent in potatoes this year, this no doubt being due to the fact that present indications are for an over-supplied market, with low priccs. There is a large area under potatoes, and it is anticipated that the yield will be good, though it is too early to predict with any certainty. Onions. In view of the bumper crop of onions in the Pukekohe district this season, local merchants have been exploiting to the fullest extent the possibilities of business with Vancouver, from which inquiries have been received. However, they have had to face lower quotations by Australian firms, and at the time of writing, it is uncertain whether any large orders can be secured at this end. Such business as has been obtained has been for February and March delivery. A Canterbury report states: "It is expected that the first of the autumn-sown onions will ho coming to hand socn. The best price for onions is now £4 10/ a ton on trucks at country stations, a decrease of :>/. Onions are in much the same position as potatoes. The prospects are for an over-supplied market, without much chance of finding a profitable outlet for the surplus." Oats.

Business in oats continues very quiet, and consumption appears to be on a restricted scale. From all accounts there is every prospect of fairly low prices when the new season's harvest becomes available.

The Lyttelton "Times" says: "The crops fiive every promise of yielding well, and merchants are not' at c' 1 keen on buying oata, because they fear that the quantity produced will be much in excess of requirements. Weeks ago it was predicted that the price of oats this year would Lave to come down to the import parity of Canadian oats, nnd it looks as if this is what is going to happen. Chaff is also going to be cheaper this year than it was last. At present merchants are not offering ipore than £3 10/ a ton on trucks at country stations for chaff."

Samples of new season's Algerians have arrived in Auckland, and if these are a fair indication of the general crop they will be considered very satisfactory. There should be no necessity to import either feed or seed lines this year. In this connection it is understood that several local merchants bought some time back fair quantities "forward"' of Australian Algerians at prices which will land considerably dearer than will Southern oats purchased at the present time. Heavy louses will consequently result. Chaff. The local market is still being kept supplied by Australian imports* but the first shipment of New Zealand new season is expected in Auckland in about ten days' tjme. Latest reports are to the effect that the Southern crop is likely to be of good yield and excellent quality. Ail exception must lie made of those parts of the Marlborough district which were affected by floods, but even in this case it is reported that the chaff, though discoloured, will be perfectly sweet and fit for consumption. Locally, prl. _s are still unaltered, but they will be readjusted when the Blenheim chaff becomes available. Maize. The supplying ~f this market still presents a problem to local dealers. The receipts from Poverty Bay and the Bay of Plenty are not nearly sufficient, and they are not likely to increase. Merchants have consequently been exploring the possibilities of importi from South Africa and other outside sources, but so far without success. Prices are too high. They are, accordingly, using every endeavour to persuade the Government to remove the duty temporarily, on the ground that there is not sufficient maize in the Dominion to satisfy the needs of consumers until the next crop becomes available.

Wheat. A larger demand is being experienced for wheat, partly as the result of the scarcity and dearness of maize. Owing to the difficulty of getting permits to import further quantities from Australia, local merchants will probably have to purchase for February shipment from the South. Any wheat thus obtained will show a higher landed cost than is now being paid for Australian. Small quantities of Australian, previously purchased, arrived by the Waipoii, and a further consignment is on the Kaiwarra, now on the way over, via Wellington, but this has all been sold for immediate delivery, and «vill go direct into the hands of the retailers. Latest reports indicate that the Government may relax r little in the direction of giving fresh permits to local merchants for further Australian importations. The position in Canterbury is indicated by the Lyttelton "Times" as follows: "It is reported that farmers in the Ashburton district are selling their wheat at 5/6 a bushel on trucks at >. juntry stations. Up to the present growers have not been very keen, on accepting this price, especially as Hr.wm-or VC »\ S i ago 0// K - ou ' < l he obtained. However, the harvest is drawing near, and the prospects of a better price than U now ottering are not bright. In fact on account ot the low quotations that are bemg received f„ P Ausl alian flour! the tendency is tor the puce to go below 5/6 Some growers apparently think that it is bettei to accept ;>/G rather than hold their wheat on the oIV-chance of getting more money later on. but with the risk of having to bo content with less. Fortuwtl? ♦l • c "' r ' s . arc turning out very well this year. and. to an extent, the good yields will oftset the lower price that is now ruling for wheat.

Bran and Pollard. Bran is still in plentiful supply, but merchants are still importing pollard from Australia to augment til. limited local supplies. Wholesale Clirren{ Prices. Flour.—N'cw Zealand, £18 10/ per ton, less 2Mi per cent, discount for 2001b sacks of both local and Southern; Australian, £18 10/. 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 Gartorw, 4/0 per bushel. Wheat; Australian, 8/3; Canadian, 7/0; Australian. .JanuaryFebruary delivery, 7/0. Maize: Best quality 8/(1 per bushel, ex wharf 8/3. Barley: Feed. 0/9 per bushel; Cape seed. 8/2 per Inishcl. Maize meal: io/6 per IOOIIi. Baric' meal: 14/6 per 1001b. ('liaff,— Blenheim, prime. £12 5/. f.a.c., £11 10/ per toil ex store; Australian, in bags. £10 5/ to £10 10/; new season's Blenheim, January delivery. £10. Onions.—lo/ per cwt. Potatoes.—Pukekohe. £8 10/. at Auckland.

Prussian, No. 1, 13/ petloXcr LF? ttr i l ! K ?- No 1. W per bushel; ■®wer tfradc, ed Icb«.'