GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 112, 14 May 1929, Page 4

GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

A RISE IN MAIZE. WHEAT UNALTERED. The chief feature of the past week in grain and produce has been a sharp advance in the price of maize. For several weeks now Gisborne holders have been gradually working for a rise, asking 5/6 per bushel f.o.b. for prompt, and a few pence more for forward delivery. On Friday they took the bit in their teeth, so to speak, and demanded 6/ straight out. Having virtual control of the market at present they have been able to enforce the demand. The move has been happily timed from their point of view, as with cold weather just starting maize is in general request. The full extent of the rise is not reflected here at present, as most of the merchants have their requirements covered for a few weeks in advance. The present ex store price is 6/9 to 7/ per bushel. Wheat. According to cabled report the chief wheat producing countries of the world have tK'eir granaries and elevators filled to overflowing. There is. a surplus above the world's requirements, and wheat and flour are cheaper than they have been since 1914. This, however, will not help the Auckland housewife or poultry keeper one scrap. .By the sliding scale of duties devised to protect the Southern wheatgrower, the price is kept virtually stable. The vagaries of the world market do not affect him, and the ex store price of fowl wheat locally is Id easier at 7/8 per bushel, with flour and bread quite unaltered. Oats And Chaff. Neither oats nor chaff has altered in price since last report, but cliafF is inclined to firmness, and Southern shippers are asking from 5/ to 7/6 more for forward delivery. B Gartons are still selling ex store at A/5 per bushel, and chaff at £9 10/ per ton. Potatoes. After several weeks of comparatively dull trading, due to plentiful local supplies, the trade in Southern shows more life. Apparently the locals are getting into smaller compass, and larger imports will be necessary. Southern consignment stocks which littered the wharves for some weeks have apparently been disposed of. Onions. The onion market is weaker, due to substantial quantities having come forward from Canterbury on consignment. This has caused some weak holders of Pukekohe to drop their price. Onions in good condition, however, should be good property, for the Southern will only last another few weeks, after which the city will need all the .locals available. Bran and Pollard. There is a fair demand for bran and pollard, with prices unaltered. The Gisborne Position. Telegraphing from Gisborne to-day our correspondent says:—An advance in prices to 5/9 per bushel has had the effect of clearing practically all the stocks of old season's maize, this price being for immediate or June delivery. It is reported that an agreement for supplies from South Africa has reduced the dealings in new season's grain to a minimum, buyers being reluctant to make forward purchases. The best price offered by merchants is 5/4 for July, August and September delivery. ' South African Imports. Local merchants report in regard to South African maize that although an endeavour is being made by various Dominion dealers to aiTange for an importation this season the arrangements have not yet been finalised. Prices appear to be satisfactory, despite the import duty of 2/ a cental, and it is chiefly a matter of arranging direct freight at a suitable period. Fertilisers. There is still a fair demand for late autumn topdressing, the chief requirement being high grade super; other lines also in .request are basic super, basic slag, and finely ground phosphate. Local manufacturers are holding ample supplies of super and basic super, while a shipment of basic slag arrives to-day per s.s. Raisdale, the bulk of which will be distributed ex wharf. Among further shipments of fertiliser .lines arriving are sulphate of ammonia and nitrate of soda, in each case about the end of this month. The stormy weather experienced the last few da3 r s will interfere to a certain extent with farmers' operations, but those who topdressed during the autumn are now getting the benefit in a good showing of grass for the late autumn and early winter. Prices remain steady at previous rates. Wholesale Current Prices. Sharps and Bran.—Mill prices: Sharps, £9 10/ per ton; bran, £8 per ton. Merchants' quotations, ex store: Southern and Australian pollard, £10 10/; bran, £8 10/. Oats.—Feed: B Gartons, 4/5 per bushel; A Gartons, 4/9; clipped Dunns, 5/6 to 5/9; clipped Gartons, 5/2. Seed: Algerians, 0/. Fowl Wheat.—7/8 per bushel. Maize. Ex store, 6/9/ to 7/. Barley—Feed, 5/9 per bushel. Seed: Cape barley, 0/6 per bushel. Maize Meal.—l 4/ per 1001b. Barley Mcnl.—l3/ per 1001b. Chaff.—G.b.o.s., £9 10/ per ton, Blenheim or Canterbury. Potatoes.—Prime Canterbury, £8. Onions.—£9 to £9 10/ per ton, ex store; £9 on trucks, Pukekohe.