GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 96, 24 April 1928, Page 4

GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

PLENTY OF POTATOES. MANY IN BAD ORDER. WHEAT AND MAIZE FIRM. The potato market after slumping badly last week in the face of heavy supplies from the South, has recovered, and good samples are selling at £7 10/ per ton, ex store. Up to April 14, the total quantity of potatoes shipped to this port from Lyttleton totalled 27,000 sacks, an unusually large tally for the time of year, and brought about through the failure of the Pukekohe crop, which usually keeps Auckland supplied well into March. Unfortunately a large proportion of the Canterbury tubers have turned out unsatisfactory with consequent heavy losses to importers, and also to those Southern merchants who sent them up on consignment. It would appear that in most cases the potatoes appeared to be all right when dispatched from Lyttelton, but they developed a spottiness on the way up. After being landed this trouble increased, and they quickly became rotten. The following table shows the quantities of potatoes shipped from Lyttelton this season up to April 14, to various ports:— Sacks. Auckland 27,039 Wellington 6,403 Napier and Glsborne 138 West Coast ports, N.I. .. 2,902 West Coast ports, S.I. .. 920 Total 37,492 The predominant position of Auckland as Canterbury's best customer is clearly indicated in the above table. A limited inquiry is now being made for seed potatoes, but it is restricted to fancy varieties for very early planting. Onions. There is little life in the onion market, and although prices are fairly stable at 9/6 per cwt, ex store, business is difficult and quotations are frequently cut down to effect a sale. Oats. I The market for oats -remains firm. It is now evident that the volume of export business with the United Kingdom is greater than was at first anticipated. From the growers' point of view the statistical position has vastly improved in consequence, and offerings from this centre are restricted. Gartons are still selling at 4/7 for B's, and 4/11 for A's, ex store. There is now a better demand for seed oats, and with ample stocks of Algerians in the South there is no occasion to look to Australia for supplies, as has often been done in the past. In any case, prices across the Tasman are too high for profitable business. Chaff. The chaff market remains remarkably stable at £9 10/ per ton, ex store. A further shipment of Blenheim has just arrived, and the quality is excellent. Wheat. Wheat values here appear to be fairly stable at 7/6 per bushel, but the tone of the market is firm, due to a scarcity of offerings from the South. It would appear that growers are awaiting the outcome of their negotiations with the millers. There is no disposition locally to force business, merchants being satisfied to buy for immediate requirements only. Malie. The maize market, too, is very firm, though there is no quotable change in ! prices. The completion of the East Coast 1 railway beyond Tauranga will probably have an effect on marketing conditions. Bay of Plenty growers will be able to supply by rail the Waikato market, which in the past has made its purchases through Auckland. This will mean that the Bay of Plenty growers will secure the whole of the Waikato trade to the exclusion of Gisborne maize, which will still have to be shipped to Auckland. Owing to the statistical position, Gisborne growers are not likely to be seriously affected this season, but whenever maize becomes plentiful they may find themselves at a disadvantage. Importations of duty free crusted maize from Melbourne have turned out satisfactory, and it is likely that further shipments will be ordered. Bran and Pollard. There are fair supplies of bran available, but pollard seems to be scarce throughout the Dominion, and merchants ate finding great difficulty in keeping their customers supplied. , Wholesale Carrent Prlees. Sharps and Bran. —Mill prices: Sharps, £9 10/ per ton; bran, £8 per ton. Merchants' quotations, ex store: Pollard, £10 5/; bran, £8 10/; oats, * feed, B Gartons, 4/7; A Gartons, 4/11 per bushel; fowl wheat, 7/6 per bushel; maize, , ex store, 7/; ex wharf, 6/9 per bushel; i barley, feed, 5/9 per bushelj Cape barley, seed, 7/6 per bushel; maize meal, 15/ per 1001b; barley meal, 13/ per 1001b. Chaff. —G.b.o-6., £9 10/ per ton, for Blenheim or Canterbury. 'Potatoes.—Canterbury, £7 10/ per ton. Oniohs. —Canterbury, 9/6 per cwt.