MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 36, 12 February 1929, Page 4

MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

COUNTRY TRADE SHOWS IMPROVEMENT. SICILY ALMOND MARKET DECLINES. RAW GINGER AGAIN* ADVANCES. "Auckland Star" Office, Tuesday, February 12, 1929. Grocery trade has shown some improvement mainly from the country and coastal towns, which has kept wholesalers fairly busy. With everyone back from their holidays, owing to the reopening of the public schools, the natural anticipation was that there would be a heavier demand than usual on retail stores, necessitating the ordering of replenishing stocks from merchants, but this has not so far eventuated, and all merchants' travellers experienced a quiet week. Business opened up yesterday showing improvement, and as the Eastern steamer has arrived at last the distribution of indent purchases made ex this vessel will help to swell merchants' returns considerably. General. The delayed arrival of the Singapore steamer has made merchants very short of stocks of practically all sizes and packings of pineapples, sago and tapioca, so that the consignments now being discharged will be particularly welcome. The direct deliveries being made to retailers I are unusually heavy this time, and merchants will, in the majority of cases, endeavour to execute straight from the wharf and so save handling charges. With the exception of about one merchant holding, all old season's stocks of Tasmanian mutton birds are cleaned up. New seaeon's are usually ready for shipment about April next, so it is still too early for any indication of what quotations are going to be. In Eastern products the pepper market still advances, the white grades showing an advance of per lb on previous lists. Nutmegs and mace also are again higher, and at present do not show any signs of a decline. French olive oil continues to advance, this year's quotations showing a tendency for much higher rates than last year. Small shipments of prunes arrived recently, and a keen demand has been experienced on all siaas, as prices based on present market rates are coneidered to be very reasonable. Jelly jars were in short supply until last week wnen nhipments were landed from Sydney. English bottled vinegar has been in short eupply owing to shipments not coming forward quite so quickly as anticipated— the next consignment is due to land by the lonic on the 13th instant, and is already fully allocated. The reduction of 10/ per ton made in refined sugar last week has enabled wholesalers to reduce their ex store rates by 3d per bag. There was no change in selling rates of golden syrup, treacle or loaf sugar. Present stocks of currants are very light, and it is not expected that the local market will obtain much relief until supplies of new season's Australian currants shipped about March next are again available. Greek supplies are short.

Sweet Sicily Almonds. Following the advice in these columns last wgek that the market for new crop Sicily almonds was considered likely to decline shortly, cables now, received have borne tKia out, the market for prompt shipment having declined, about £7 per ton, and for the new crop for SeptemberOctober shipment about £5 per ton. Ginger. Revised quotations received last week by cable from China on raw ginger show an advance of £8 per ton on the previous prices advised, which should give buyers of preserved a fairly good indication of how prices on this latter line will rule as soon as the manufacturers commence to draw on the new season's stocks. The present quotations are for immediate shipment. Ceylon Tea. At the weekly sale held in Colombo on the sth at the month 1,900,0001b was placed under offer, a reduction on the previous week's offerings of more than three-quarters of a million pounds. The quality from most of the districts was unusually good, that sent in from the; Dimbullas, Dickoyas and Newara Eliyas j - districts being particularly fine. The result of the sale showed a good general demand, with the commonest kinds barely steady, common low mediums were strong, and finest brokena were firm to dearer. Commons and price broken Pekoes remained unchanged: Plain 8.0.P.'s and first classic broken Pekoes advanced a %d per pound, and finest 8.0.P.'s advanced a 14d per pound. Exchange was quoted at 1/6 11-32nds. Brazil Kernels. Agents notify cable advice of a reduction of a %d per pound in forward quotations for Brazil kernels. ~,.,. Prunes. Gablti advice received from America last week advised an increase in the mediumsized prunes, TO/eCs and 80/90's of a 1/ per cwt, and also- that the market was very excited, owing to the firm possibility of' further advances, the larger sizes, 30/40's and 40/50s have been withdrawn. Linseed Oil. Recent advices received from English' shippers advise a firm market, although ' shippers are willing to confirm business tor immediate or spread delivery at present rates on both raw and boiled until the end of the month. Cocoa Butter. English prices on cocoa butter are firmer again, the latest quotations received advising an increase of 3/ per cwt for prompt shipment. Lima Beans. Since last report Madagascar Lima beans have advanced a further 1/ per cwt on the London market, the total increase since J opening rates were first named amounting J to approximately 5/ per cwt. On a comparison of present quotations witli liiose; ruling about the same time last year the latest price from London shows an increase of about £15> per ton. Chillies. Recent cables indicate a very heavy ; advance hae been made on Zanzibar . chillies, the increase in quotations ae '. against previous season's amounting to 1 about £25 per ton. The present quota- . tione put Japanese offers in a mue 1 ) more , favourable position and a certain proportion of this business will <ro in the latter { direction on account of the lower price < offered. ( Cherries. •« ' The market on both crystallised and ' drained cherries remains very firm, freeh broken being withdrawn by one supplier, the only reasonably priced line being .-"Whole broken, on which some busireae . "* e ., Dee , n done ai the present quotation. '■.-,-,' , Australian Canned Fruit. just received advice elieed penuhee the 20th inet., { ) vurietiee o£iK#*i**' > otner grades and ■ \ ivMifcyy-.. \ li ! *&B&Hr'im * Australian canned ■ - *toiwiSrt!*«*!^ elic ' !d previously ' i against thie the 53iSHl3sP arried f»r vard I «n""fl* ~<vt-al >tl j^jJfflßM||jgye about the ! ■' a ; f "»» on* ot,ttTl2sJJJ e,rc »We advice d

paniee in Vancouver, that supplies of pilchards, in both halves and onee, are now depleted and that further consignments will not be o available until about August next. Fruit Pulp. Xew season's quotations have just been named for Tasmanian fruit pulp, and on a comparison basis with last year's rates .show a general all-round reduction, which has already encouraged some good business. As any stocks carried over by merchants are in rather small compass and do not comprise a full assortment, some of the business already transacted has been for immediate shipment. It is anticipated that this season's demand will be considerably greater than last year, particularly on the berry pulps which are reported to be of excellent quality and value. Last season the packers instituted a new 31b tin for convenience of those families who were not able to cope with the larger size, and from the forward business already done it would appear that this size will be as popular this year as it was last season. Gum Arabic. London shippers have cabled advising a firmer market on gum Kordofan (gum Arabic), quotations for prompt shipment having advanced £1 per ton, with sellers indicating a likelihood of further increases. Sicily Filberts. Quotations for forward shipment on Sicily filberts are now showing an easier tendency, latest lists showing a decline of about 2/6 per cwt below the recent ruling rates. On the present basis of quotations, compared with the ruling rate on Barcelona nuts, the preference seema to be for Sicily filberts mainly on account of their size. Tapioca. Last cable quotations on tapioca received during the week showed fractional reductions on both Penang seed and Pearl, with prices remaining unchanged on Singapore grades. Mail advices indicate that the demand during the previous month has been practically confined to Europe, and as India is the principal buyer for this grade, the absence of buying from this quarter has reflected in the shrinkage of shipment figures, the last "outgoing total for the recent sailing of the direct steamer being less than one thousand tons. Peanuts. Latest cables to hand show a reduction of 5/ per ton on new season's No. 1 grade and also extra special quality. Wholesale Current Prices. Butter.—First grade factory butter, booked, 1/7% per lb and 1/7 per lb for prompt caeh. Second grade factory, booked, 1/5% per lb and 1/5 per lb for prompt caeh. Farmers' separator, 1/2 per pound. Cheese.—Firet grade factory, medium size mild, 10d to 10% d per lb. Loaf, 1/0% net per lb. Cheedale, 61b bars, 1/3 per lb; 7oa packets, 9/6 per dozen. Crest, 4/6 per dozen. Bacon. —Hams, 1/ per lb; rolled hams, 1/2 per lb; boned haine. 1/3 per lb. Bacon: Sides, 9%d to 10d poi lb; rolled sidee, 1/ to 1/1 per lb; middles, 1/1 to 1/2 per lb; ehouldere. 8d per lb- rolled shoulders, 9d per lb. Lard, bulk, 9d per lb; pats, 10d per lb. Flour.—Local: 2001b sacke, £18 per ton; 100'e, £18 15/ per ton; 50'e, £19 5/ per ton; 25'e, £20 per ton; 12Ws, £20 17/6 per ton; 6V*'a, £21 17/6 per ton. Southern: 2001b eacke, £18 per ton; lOO's, £18 15/ per ton; 50's. £19 per ton; 25'e, £19 10/ per ton,- 12%'s, £20 5/ per ton; 6%'e, £20 17/6 per ton, all leee 2% per cent discount. Linseed.—Whole, 22/6 per cwt; ground, 23/6 per 1001b. Malt.—Crushed 12/ per buehel; whole white, 12/ per bushel; whole black, 14/9 per bushel. Twines.—Seaming, 3/9 per lb; binder, 8d per lb. Peameal.—l3/ per 1001b. Linseed Oil Cake Nute.—l4/ per 1001bLineeed Meal.—l 6/ per 1001b. (Unprocurable meantime.) Bluestone.—32/6 per cwt.