AT THE MARTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 292, 10 December 1929, Page 4

AT THE MARTS.

STRAWBERRIES BETTER.

BANANAS SHORT FOR CHRISTMAS,

EGGS ARE DEARER,

Stunners are now practically clone anc by next week supplies should be finished Canadian apples are likely to be short as stocks in hand may give out before the new season's arrive. As a consequence prices will rise. Prices for gooseberries are the lowest that they have been this season. The market is glutted with this fruit. Thames apricots are beginning to come forward, but the samples are only small. The first of local hothouse grapes have also made their appearance and sold at 3/4 a lb. Strawberries are now about in the full swing of the season and should remain so until about Christmas. The demand should increase until this time, and the quality of the fruit should also keep up. Weather conditions, however, are all important in connection with this fruit. Bananas will be scarce for the Christmas season, as the cargo from the Waipahi's special trip was , much smaller than was expected. Prices will therefore be high. Ruling values, according to grade, arc:— Apples: Stunners, 9/ to 12/6; Jonathans, Canadian, 20/ to 21/; Delicious, Canadian, 19/; Newtown Pippin, Canadian, 19/; Winesap, Canadian, 19/. Pears: P. Barry, 9/ to 11/. Tomatoes: Hothouse, choice, 9d to lid lb; medium and No. 2, 5d to Sd lb; outdoor, 3d to O 1 lb. Oranges: Sydney Valencia, 18/ to 24/; California!], 35/ to 42/6. Gooseberries, 4/ to 5/. Strawberries: Marguerites, 7d to 9d; Helenslea Surprise, 7%d to Del; Captain Cooks, 1/ upwards. Plums: Cherry, green, 2/6 to 4/; red, cooking, 4/ to 5/. Apricots: Local, 4/G to 6/'. Cherries: Local, 9/ to 13/. Lemons: No. 1, 10/ to 14/; No. 2, 7/ to 9/. Grapes: Californian, in barrels, 27/6. Bananas: Choice repacks, 22/ to 25/; No. 2 and medium, 15/ to 20/. Glut of New Potatoes. On account of general wet weather most of the new season's vegetables are coming in late. This applies in particular to cucumbers, marrows and Frcnch beans. More outdoor cucumbers arc appearing, but not in the numbers expected. All lines are in fair supply, and, speaking generally, the demand is keen. Market prices are:— Potatoes, new, 2/6 to 5/ bag; onions, 7/ to 13/ crate; kumeras, Tauranga, 8/ to 11/ cwt; cabbage, 2/ to 7/6 sack; Cauliflower, 3/ to 14/ sack; swedes, 1/6 to 2/6 bag; pumpkins, 16/ to 20/ cwt; green peas, 2%d to 5 : /& lb; beaus, French, 6d to 3d lb, Broad 2 , /& dto 3d lb; lettuce, 3/ to 7/6 case; cucumbers, hothouse, 3/ to 7/6 doz; vegetable marrows, 3/ to 9/ doz; on benches, 1/6 to 3/ doz; cauliflower, on benches, 3/ to 9/ doz; rhubarb, 1/ to 4/6 doz; spinach, 1/6 doz; pumpkins, 3/ to 5/ each; spring onions, 3d to 1/3 bundle; radish, 4d to 8d doz; carrots, beet and turnips, 1/ to 2/ doz; asparagus, 6d to 9d bundle; leeks, 3d to 4d bundle. Eggs Still Going Up. Due to the shortening of supplies, egg prices are steadily advancing. There is l good demand. For first quality prices ire: Special grade, 1/6% doz; A grade, l/s>" B grade, 1/4. Duck eggs: Special ?rade, 1/5 doz; A grade, 1/4; B grade, 1/3. There is the usual good demand for moderate supplies of farmers' butter. It is fetching from 1/2 to 1/4 per lb.