GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 276, 22 November 1927, Page 4

GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

POTATOES STILL DEAR.

CHEAP VICTORIAN ONIONS.

MAIZE MARKET FIRMS UP

Since last report the market values of Southern potatoes rose still higher, but they subsequently eased, and the Wingatui's cargo, though a small one, has realised from £1 to £1 10/ per ton less than was being obtained for potatoes ex the Katoa a few days earlier.

At this time of 'year the market is extremely sensitive, as merchants will only buy from hand to mouth, and any variation in supply is immediately reflected in a change of values.

It ig not expected that this centre will require Southern potatoes much longer, as each day finds the quality less satisfactory. The Pukekohe crop is coming ou nicely, but in view of the heavy demand that is setting in, prices have again firmed and the wholesale quotati" • is £19 per ton on trucks -at Pukekohe. At this time last year Southern potatoes, which were practically off the market, were quoted nominally at £6 10/ per ton, and Pukekohe could be bought at £12 15/ per ton on trucks.

Onions. There is a weaker tone in this market as a result of the threatened advent of fcheap Globe onions from Melbourne. These have been quoted for shipment on the 30th of this month, and purchases have been made. The Victorian onions will be landed at a price much below the cost of the Canadian article, with which the market has been supplied during the past couple of months. The Victorian will not show the quality of the Canadian, being more or less unseasoned, but at lower prices they will certainly be preferred. Local quotations have not as yet been altered, and as stocks are not heavy it is believed they will be cleared before the Victorian shipment arrives. Maize. The maize market is distinctly firmer. Arrivals from the coast have been very small. Corn still in the hands of farmers is of good keeping quality, and they are holding it for the higher values that are expected to rule later on. The South African shipment has all been distributed, and any purchases made now have to be on the basis of 6/6 to 6/9 per bushel ex store. Local maize is worth anywhere from 5/6 to 5/11 ex the 'vharf. There is no advice as to when further freightage may be available from South Africa, but it is generally recognised that additional importations will be necessary before next season's harvest.

The bulk of the planting for the new crop has been done, and the demand for seed has eased off. From all accounts it would appear that extensive planting has been done for the coming season.

Oats and Chaff. The oats market i* dull, and very little business is passing. Southern quotations show a weaker tendency, as many firms are prepared to cut prices so as to clear their stores fo wool. The chaff market, too, is unaltered. Values seem stable at about £9 10/ per ton ex it ore. Wheat. The wheat market is firm, with no indications of any weakening in the near future. Offerings from the South are limited, and business with Australia is hampered by the fact that merchants do not know where they stand with regard to duty. The trouble has arisen over the sliding scale basis for assessing the duty, i Negotiations have been in progress for I some time with a view to a compromise ! over the conflict of interests between the North and the South. The Southern j viewpoint, broadly speaking, becomes j virtually a fight for the protection of the Canterbury farmer with the Auckland I merchant insisting upon the rights of the j consumer.

' Australian wheat has actually been landed and sold here, and a further shipment is expected by the Kaponga, due to load at Melbourne on November 30. At the present time wheat from aprose the Tasman is being sold at the same price as Southern, though sometimes a premium of Id and 2d per bushel is paid because of its superior quality.

Bran and Pollard. Both these lines are in ample supply. There is little demand for bran just. now, but pollard sells freely. Wholesale Current Prices. Sharps and Bran.—Local sharps, £8 5/ per ton; Australian, £9 10/; bran, £5 15/ per ton; oat pollard, £8 10/ per ton. Grain.—New Zealand oats, seed, B Gartons, 4/4; A's, 4/7 per bushel. Wheat: New Zealand and Australian, 8/9, Maize: African ex store, 6/6 to' 6/9; local, ex wharf, 5/6 to 5/11 per bushel. Barley: Feed, 5/9 per bu6fiaj; Cape seed, 7/6 per bushel. Maize meal: 15/6 per 1001b. Barley'meal: 13/ per 1001b.

Chaff.—Blenheim, g.b.0.5., £9' 10/ per ton, ex store; Canterbury, £9 10/.

Potatoes.—Table: Southern, £9 to £10 per ton.

Onions.—Canadian, in bags 17/, in cases 18/6.