GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 141, 17 June 1930, Page 4

GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

POTATO PRICES STEADY. ONIONS ADVANCE. Although potatoe values in Auckland are still steady at the comparatively low price of £7 per ton, ex store, the market generally shows a firming tendency, both here and in the South. From latest advices it is considered by Canterbury merchants that the crop may not turn out as well as was expected. Onions Soft and Dear. Local onions are becoming comparatively scarce, and what are offering are of mixed quality and require picking over. Supplies are coming up from the South, but these also require special attention in. the way of sorting before being dispatched to consumers. The ruling rate has, in consequence, been advanced to £8 per ton. About the end of the month the first of the season's shipments from Melbourne-is expected. The Australian onions are cheaper than is usual at this time of year, and are being quoted to arrive at 10/6 per cwt, ex wharf. Oats and Chaff. There is no change in the price of oats, although Southern advices report the market as being easier. This is possibly the result of storage room being required, as there has been no change in the statistical position. The difference in Canterbury and Southland crops this year is strikingly shown in the latest threshing returns. They show that Southland crops have threshed out 58.83 bushels to the acre, against 38.09 bushels in Canterbury. Canterbury and Blenheim chaff is still being quoted at £10 10/ per ton, ex store. There is plenty on hand, hut it has to divide the business with Tasmania, which sells 10/ a ton cheaper if packed in New Zealand sacks, and £1 cheaper if contained in Hessian bags. Wheat the Same. Wheat is still in regular supply, selling at 7/10 per bushel. Latest threshing returns show that the yield for the present season is being maintained at the good average of 31.14 bushels, the total yield to May 19 of 5,981,843 representing 192,000 acres. This leaves a total of 42,500 acres —on the good figures of 234,500 acres— still to account for. Maize. Maize is still selling at 6/9 to 6/11 per bushel, ex store. Merchants are allowing their present stocks to run down in anticipation of the arrival of a fresh South African consignment about the 25th of this month. This is being quoted to arrive at 6/6 per bushel, ex wharf. Pollard and Bran. There is no change to report in pollard or bran. 31onthly supplies of pollard continue to come forward from Australia to supplement local supplies. Fertilisers. In spite of recent rains manufacturers report steady business, what demand there is being for top-dressing lines. Farmers who top-dress now are assured of early spring feed, and given a little better weather conditions they are advised to topdress as soon as possible, if they have not already done so during the autumn. The chief requirement is for soluble phosphates, such as high-grade super, basic super with a lesser demand for the slower-acting lines such as basic slag and ground rock phosphate. There is also a fair demand for nitrogenous phosphate mixtures. The motor ship Weirbank arrived to-day with a full cargo of nitrate of soda for Australia and New Zealand, and the New Zealand portion is being discharged at Auckland. The local market is amply supplied with all fertiliser lines, and prices remain steady at late rates. Wholesale Current Prices. Pollard and Bran—Mill prices: Pollard, £9 10/ per ton; bran, £8 per ton. Merchants' prices: Australian and South Island pollard, £10 10/ per ton; bran, £S 15/ to £9. Oats—Feed: B Gartons, 4/10 per ousnel; A Gartons, 5/; clipped Dunns, 6/0; clipped Algerians, 6/6; clipped Gartons. 5/5 Fowl Wheat.—7/10 per bushel. Maize—New Zealand, 6/9 to 6/11, ex store Barley.—Feed, 5/9 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.0.5., £10 10/ per ton. Blenheim or Canterbury; Tasmanian, £9 10/. Potatoes.—£7. ex store. Onions.—£B, ex store, in Hessian bags, ..£lO in ..sacks.