GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 136, 11 June 1929, Page 4

GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

POTATOES ARE . PLENTIFUL

OATS ADVANCE IN PRICE

WHEAT STILL DEAR

An unexpected feature of the week's trading has been a sharp advance in the price of B Garton oats. This line has suddenly firmed up in the South for no particular reason that merchants here can discover by about 4d per bushel. Local stocks are not heavy, and a portion of the advance has been immediately reflected in current quotations. B Gartons are now commanding from 4/6 to 4/8 per bushel ex store, and when early purchases are exhausted a further advance may be expected. The increase for A's is only slight, a* the proportion of the higher grade harvested is greater than usual. The local price remains at 4/10 per bushel. It is sel.lctn that the margin between the two grades is so «mall.

Chaff Getting nearer. As previously mentioned, the serious damage done to Marlborough crops as the result of bad weather during the harvesting period has. restricted supplies from that source, and Canterbury dealers, having the export market chiefly to themselves, have been able to command a higher price. However, a fair proportion of the chaff used here is purchased under contracts for spread delivery made earlier in the season so tnat the consumer is fairly well protected as to price. Current rates vary from £9 10/ to £9 15/ per ton ex store, the higher figure being readily obtained for specially bright and welloated lines.

Fowl Wheat Steady. There is no change in the local price of fowl wheat. Southern reports are to the effect that the market is weak, but local merchants have not discovered any way to buy at pri-.es lower than have been charged in recent months. The Southern growers, working under the protection of the sliding scale of duties, have obtained a strangle hold on the market. The farmers' pool appears to be functioning admirably, so that the amount of "free" wheat is not sufficiently great to depress the market. The net result of these operations has been to establish a position almost unique in Xew Zealand commerce. The outside world is full of wheat which is selling cheaper than has been known for over a decade, but the Canterbury wheat grower, with the Dominion market absolutely watertight, is able to secure with no difficulty prices that are considerably. above world parity. Maize Still Dear. . Maize continues to sell at high prices, 7/3 to 7/6 per bushel ex store being readily obtainable. Stocks are small as, in view of the near approach of new season's crop at lower prices, merchants are only buying from hand to mouth. The negotiations for a direct shipment from South Africa do not appear to have led to business. The duty of 2/ a cental, coupled with freight charges, has proved an effective bar to importation. The only purchases from South Africa have been of Hickory King seed maize, which will come via Australia, to land here about next October. Plenty of Potatoes. There are plenty of potatoes in Auckland just now. The last two shipments from the South totalled 15,000 sacks. However, the next will only be about 3500, and as local consumption totals 7000 sacks a week, the present surplus will speedily be reduced. The forward position lias not altere.l since last report. It is believed here that, despite all reports to the contrary, the Southern crop id quite a large one. Growers are, 1: or ever, hoping against hope for an outlet to Australia and meantime are holding out firmly lor high figures for forward delivery.

Onions. The only alteration in the position oi onions is that Pukekohe growers are showing a keener disposition to meet the market. Evidently there are more in that district than was supposed, and as Japanese will be available during the latter part of next month, holders have only a limited period in which to quit their stocks.

Pollard and Bran. Both pollard and bran are in ample supply at recent quotations, but further supplies of pollard from Australia will land at higher 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/ to £10 15,'; bran, £8 10/. Oats. —Feed: B Gartons, 4/6 to 4/8 per bushel; A Cartons, 4/10; clipped \Dunns, 5/6 to 5/9; clipped Gar tons, 5/2. Fowl Wheat. —7/8 per bushel. Maize.—Ex store, 7/3 to 7/6. Barley,—Feed, 5/9 per bushel. Seed: Cape barley, 6/6 per bushel. Maize Meal.—l 4/6 per 1001b. Barley Meal.—l 3/ per 1001b. Chaff.—G.b.o.s., £9 10/ to £9 15/ per ton, Blenheim or Canterbury. Potatoes.—Prime Canterbury, £8. Onions. —£9 per ton, ex store; £6 15/ to £7 trucks, Pukekohe.