GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 256, 29 October 1929, Page 4

GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

POTATOES GETTING CHEAPER. CHAFF SCARCE AND DEAR. There have been few changes in the local grain and produce markets since last report. Potatoes bulk much less in the minds of merchants than they did, as all the shops are now dealing extensively in new season's bought direct from growers so that the demand for old is considerably curtailed. Wholesalers are consequently buying cautiously from hand to mouth. There are fair quantites of southern on the wharf or in store, but the quality is mixed, and many lines show substantial waste. Really prime quality is worth about £10 per ton. Although recent rains have made the soil favourable to planting, there is little demand for seed. Latest reports from Pukekohe are to the effect that recent rains have brought the crops on nicely, and it is expected that next week will see heavy arrivals. Already there is a noticeable improvement in the quality of the lines coming to hand, although some still show the effects of the unfavourable conditions ruling earlier. Current quotations are 22/ to 23/6 per cwt on trucks. Onions from Abroad. The market is well supplied with Californian and Canadian onions, and prices are fairly stable at from 17/6 to 19/ per case or crate. The Waihemo brought about 30,000 cases irom San Francisco last week, and the Golden West is now in port with a fresh consignment of Califocnian. The Aorangi is due on Monday with a Canadian shipment, and on the dimensions of this latter will depend whether _ or not supplies will last out until Victorian "earlies" become available. Oats and Chaff. There has been no change in the oats market, which is firm at 4/9 per bushel for B Cartons, but chaff has hardened in the south, and the increase has been reflected locally. Merchants report that it is difficult to get an order of even a few truck loads confirmed promptly, and have raised the price to £11 per ton. A small Tasmanian shipment arrived on Saturday, and is selling at £9 10/ to £9 15/ per ton. Wheat the Same. The wheat market continues steady and firm at 7/9 per bushel ex store. P/laize in Plenty. Maize comes forward freely from the Bay of Plenty district, and it seems unlikely that local merchants will need to look to Poverty Bay for supplies before the end of the year, if as early as then. Gisborne merchants are offering to sell forward at 5/3 f.0.b., at the same time reporting that the growers there are holding out for higher prices. The local de maud is fairly good, as maize is on a better parity for price than wheat. Bran and Pollard. With the advent of warmer weather, and the effect on pastures of beneficial rains, the demand for bran has eased off, and merchants have less difficulty in satis fying their customers' requirements. Pol lard is readily obtainable, and there is no alteration in market quotations.

Fertilisers. Weather conditions the last two weeks have been very satisfactory from the farmer's point of view, and there is now a very good show of grass throughout the province. Those who have not already topdressed in the spring, and who contemplate doing so, should topdress promptly, otherwise it will be too late to get results before midsummer. Farmers are now busy preparing their land for all crop purposes, the chief fertiliser demand being mixtures and straight lines for this purpose, while for forward manufacturers and merchants are booking large quantities of superphosphate, basic super, finely ground North African phosphate for summer and autumn delivery. It is expected that large quantities will be used during late summer and autumn period for topdressmg. In regard to basic slag, owing to the mucli firmer tone for this coming year s requirements, there will be a lesser tonnage imported, involving a greater demand for other lines. Prices of locally manufactured show 110 change.

Wholesale Current Prices.

Pollard and Bran.—Mill prices: Pollard, £9 10/ per ton; bran, £8 per ton. Merchants' quotations, ex store: Southern, £10 10/; Australian pollard, £11; bran, £9 to £10. , , Oats.—Feed: B Gartons, 4/9 per bushel; A Gartons, 5/; clipped Dunns, 6/3 to 6/6; clipped Algerians, 5/9; clipped Gartons, 5/3. Fowl Wheat.—7/9 per bushel. Maize.—6/6 per bushel. Barley.—Feed, 5/9 per bushel. Seed: Cape barley, 6/6 per bushel. Maize Meal. —14/ to 14/6 per 1001b. Barley Meal. —13/ per 1001b. Chaff.—G.b.o.s., £11 per ton, Blenheim or Canterbury; Tasmanian, £9 10/ to £9 15/. Potatoes.—Prime Canterbury, £10 per ton. Onions. —Californian and Canadian, 17/6 a bag; 18/6 to 19/ a crate.