GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 65, 18 March 1930, Page 4

GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

POTATOES ARE FIRMER. ONIONS STILL VERY CHEAP. The most notable change in the local grain ' and produce markets since last report has been a firming up of potatoes. Stocks of locally grown are evidently getting cleaned out, as trade that has been supplied by suburban growers in recent months is finding its way back to the wholesale merchants. Pukekohe stocks are apparently not heavy and local dealers, in order to gc': immediate deliveries, have had- to go further afield. Manawatu has evidently a large crop this season and Auckland orders within tiie last week have gone to that district. The quality is reported as excellent, but the extra freight charges have put the local price up to 8/ per cwt ex store. Onions. Onions continue a glut on the market. It. had been hoped that an export outlet might have been found, but Canterbury secured the only business offering, namely, to Canada, presumably at very low rates. Good quality onions are selling at 6/ per cwt ex store. Oai& and Chaff. Oats are .still firm, with prices unchanged. A fair sized shipment of Algerian seed from Australia is expected early next month. Chaff is very slow of sale for the exceedingly favourable weather ruling within the past few weeks tends to further restrict an already diminishing demand. The first of this season's Tasmanian is expected the first week in April. Wheat and Maize. Wheat is a shade firmer at 7/9 per bushel. Maize is obtainable at 7/9 and is dull of sale. This is likely to be the case until colder weather is experienced. Our Gisborne correspondent telegraphs as follows:—"The maize market is still lifeless, sales being restricted to a few small undergrade lots. Growers have moderated their demands slightly and are now prepared'to quit at 5/11 and' 6/, but outside buyers are apparently holding off the market until the fate o£ pending importations is known." Fertiisers. There has been a good steady demand this last week for topdressing purposes, and the local superphosphate manufacturers have sent out good tonnage. With the fine weather experienced, the farmers are busy topdressing and it is expected the present good demand will continue throughout this month and also, probably, during April. The chief demand is for phosphatic fertilisers, high grade superphosphate being the chief requirement, with basic super and super and North African phosphate mixture in lesser demand. There is also a fair demand for basic slag, which is coming forward by regular boats, and so far has been distributed to bu/ers direct ex ship. Prices remain steady at the late rates.

Wholesale Current Prices. Pollard and Bran.—Mill prices: Pollard, £9 10/ per ton; bran, £8 per ton. Oats.—Feed: B Gartons, 5/ per bushel; A Gartons, 5/2; clipped Dunns, 6/9; clipped Algerians, 6/6; clipped Gartons, g/3 Fowl Wheat. —J/9 per bushel. Maize.—7/ per bushel. _ Barley.—Feed, 5/6 per bushel. Seed: Cape barley, 6/6, per bushel. Maize Meal.—l 4/ to 14/6 per 1001b. Barley Meal.—l 3- per 1001b. Chaff—G.b.o.s., £10 15/ per ton, Blenheim or Canterbury; Tasmanian, £9 15/. Potatoes.—B/ per cwt, ex store; kohe, on trucks, £7. ; r . Onions.—Pukekohe, £4 15/ per'.ton on trucks, £6 ex store.