MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 171, 22 July 1930, Page 4

MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

BRISK WHOLESALE TRADING.

LOWER PRUNE PRICES.

ALMOND MARKETS FIRM,

"Auckland Star" Office,

Tuesday, July 22

Wholesale grocery merchants experienced fairly brisk trading during the latter part of last week in attending to the first requirements of storekeepers who had sent their monthly orders early so as to be in readiness for August deliveries, which commenced vto-day. Business showed a further increase yesterday, and at is anticipated that merchants will experience a fa,irly busy week. General. Wholesale merchants commenced delivery for August account to all towns served by rail to-day, and commence their town and suburban deliveries on Thursday next. A well-known pack of meat that has been off the market for some copsiderable time is now available for merchants in all varieties. The Hauraki recently arrived from New York and brought further supplies of carton seeded and seedless raisins, bulk golden bleached, unbleached and soda bleached raisins, also prunes in a variety of sizes. Via transhipment from Australia included bulk and carton desiccated coconut, Tasmanian mutton birds, Tasmanian fruit pulp, in 31b and 61b tins, and also canned and dried fruit. In recent shipments from London further supplies of carton soups,'jar pastes, bottled oils and curries, Epsom salts, and packed dates have arrived. The very cold weather experienced during the last fortnight has been responsible for a very strong demand for soup in both imported and local lines. As it is now too late in the season for insurance to be accepted on consignments of walnut meat, owing to the extreme probability of shipments not being admitted on account of grub infection, there is very little possibility of further supplies being purchased by merchants for some months to come. Immediate supplies held locally are rather small, so that any stocks offering are almost certain to bring higher prices. The quality of dates recently imported has been very fine; this also refers to recent shipments of French crystallised cherries, which are now being offered at exceedingly favourable rates. Late landings of prunes are costing very much lower than formerly, which is expected to stimulate the demand for this popular fruit. Latest Australian advices advise that there has not been aiiy change in the rice market, and that quotations are now available for Burma rice, for shipment by the July-August steamer.

Drapery. AH draperj r houses are now in the full swing of- their winter sales, all departments experiencing quite a fair turnover. Considering the number of specials that have been offered and the extensive newspaper advertising that has been done, the amount of business transacted so far has been rather disappointing. There seems to be plenty of shoppers, but there is verylittle money about, except for absolute bargains, which are quickly snapped u.p. 3 The Winter Show, unfortunately, was not 5 responsible for the influx of the large * number of country buyers previously J anticipated, which has been very disap--3 pointing to the 'larger shopkeepers, who, were expecting that the greater proportion 3 of country visitors would take the opportunity of buying their season's needs before returning home. It is not expected that new goods will be shown for a few weeks yet, although possibly an early display of new millinery will be made by the larger ) houses., Prunes. 5 r Cables received by brokers advise fur- ) ther reductions on prunes. Old season's have been reduced from 6d to 1/ per cwt, according to size, while new season's have been reduced 2/ per cwt. Almonds. Cables received from London during the last week advise that the market on Jordan almonds is reported to be much stronger, with the result that prices have firmed 2/ per cwt, On the other hand, • Sicily almonds, which were recorded last ; week at the lowest levels that have been i known over a period of several years, were i reported firm at the last quotation, which 1 would tend to indicate that this market is now at bottom. Currants. In a cable just received, Greek currants i are advised as showing a firmer tendency, : prices now 'being increased by 1/ per cwt. Smyrna Figs. New season's Smyrna box figs are quoted at considerable reductions on the rate . quoted last year, and as shipment is intimated as arriving here in time for Christmas trade, quite fair business is anticipated. Cellophane Pack Fruit. During tlie Christmas period there is always a demand for Cellophane pack dessert fruit, particularly mixed, such as muscatels and almonds. Latest advices received indicate that the market on this commodity is showing mqre ; firmness, prices now being listed at an increase of 3d per dozen higher than last year. Cream of Tartar. English 99 per cent cream of tartar, in a well-known make, has been reduced 5/6 per cwti ' Acids. Tartaric 1 aoid, in a recent cable from London, now shows a. reduction of 2/3 per. cwt. i Desiccated Coconut. In cables recently received desiccated coconut has shown a slight firmness, latest quotations on one of the best known brands sold on this market showing an increase of 3d per cwt. Ceylon Tea. At the usual weekly sale of Ceylon tea held at Colombo on the 15th inst, 2,500,000 pounds were placed under offer. Quality of the Dimbulla and Dickoya grades showed a slight falling off, but others were fully maintained. The result of the, sale showed that commons and low medium grades were in strong demand, but that the inquiry for good mediums and good ■brokens were very poor. Actual price alterations showed a reduction of %d per lb on first classic broken Pekoes, and finest Broken Orange Pekoes. All other grades remained firm and unchanged. Exchange was quoted -at 1/6 1-16. The usual mail report just to hand advises that the market -was fairly well supplied during the previous month, when some 11,500,0001b were sold at an average of 6814 cents, as compared with 74 cents for the previous month and 79 cents for the corresponding month of last year. The decline in the average is to a greater extent accounted for by the flower averages obtained for high country teas, consequent of their generally inferior quality. _ Shipments to London were again liberal, amounting as they did to 16,750,0001b, which, however, shows a decline of 1,500,000 pounds, as compared with the figures for - May last year. There was a considerable improvement in demand, and the bulk of the offerings was disposed of locally, the withdrawals being considerably less than for-the previous month. Although financial conditions in Australia and New Zealand continue to be most adverse for the importer, there was a noticeable increase an,the buying strength for both markets, prices of the grades of tea they are usually m showing an improvement. JJuring the. first part of the month the island experienced one of the worst series of severe weather recorded, resulting in unprecedented floods in the south- i western' and western areas. -Altfmngh ;

considerable damage has been done to properties affectde byy the flood, tea estates sustained no damage. to speak of. The high winds and excessive rainfall for several days on end had the effect of shutting upflush, and consequently crops for the month were unusually small, to be reflected in shipments for the current month. There has not been the general improvement in quality as might have been expected, as the result of the slow growth, but the downward trend of quality was checked earlier than usual, which, together with shorter supplies, will give the market a much needed fillip and rest. Recent telegraph advices from India point out that owing to adverse climatic condi- ~ tions crop yields for Northern India over April and May are much behind those of last year. Apart from the voluntary lahour policy of restriction agreed upon by the principal producing interests it would seem as if nature had,also come to the aid of the industry to bring about a much needed reduction of crop for the current season. The monsoon, as far as Ceylon is concerned, has been later than usual in establishing itself, but meteorological observations seem to point that south-west conditions are at. last established, but this year unaccompanied by the usual marked disturbances. Weather up-country during the last ten days or so •has been congenial for production, but not for quality, but it is rather too early yet in the season to venture any indication whether quality during August is likely to be good, bad or indifferent. Exports o£ Ceylon tea to New Zealand for the first five and a half months of the year showed a decrease of 903,6811b. Export' for the same period from India to Australia and New Zealanl shows a decline of 49661b. Machine Oil. Advices received from the New Zealand agents of one of the most popular lines of household machine and lubricating oil received from America, state that prices of the small bottle oil are now being shipped at a considerable reduction on previous quotations, the latest lists 6how-. ing a decline of $2.90 per gross. Linseed Oil. Prices quoted last week on English linseed oil showed that present quotations are considerably easier than previous rates, genuine raw and boiled now being offered for July and August shipment at a reduction of 2d per gallon. Coffee. On comparing opening prices for Java Robusta coffee beans, the market just at present shows a decline against opening rates of £16 per ton. This market has apparently been affected by the Brazilian market, which is very weak, owing to the unusually heavy carry over of large stocks, and to the advice of a heavy crop of new beans. Wholesale Current Rates. Butter.—First grade factory, booked, 1/2% per lb, and 1/2 per lb for prompt cash. Second grade factory, booked, \/VA per lb, and 1/1 per lb for prompt cash. Farmers' separator, lid per lb. Cheese. —First grade factory medium, size, mild, B%d to 9*/4 d per lb net. Loaf, OVid per lb net. Chesdale, 61b bars, 1/3 per lb; 7oz packets, 9/6 per dozen. Bacon.—Hams, 1/1 per lb; rolled hams, 1/4 per lb; cooked whole ham, 1/5 per lb; cooked pressed ham, 1/10 per lb. Bacon: Sides, lid to 1/1 per lb; rolled sides, 1/2 per lb; middles, 1/3 per lb; shoulders, 9d per 3b; rolled shoulders, lOd f>?r M>. Lard: Bulk. 9d to lOd per lb; .pats, 8d to 10d per lb. Flour.—Local: 2001b sacks, £18 10/ per ton; 100's, £19 5/ per ton; 50's, <£19 15/ per ton; 25's, £20 10/ per ton; l2We, £21 7/3 per ton; 6 1 / i's, £21 17/6 per ton. Linseed—Whole, 23/ per 1001b; ground, 24/ per 1001b. Malt. —Crushed, 10/3 per bushel; whole, white, 9/9 per bushel; whole, black, 13/ per bushel. Twines.—Seaming, 3/6 per lb; binder, 8d per lb. Peameal.—l2/ per 1001b. Linseed Oil Cake Nuts. —15/ per 1001b. Linseed Meal. —17/ per 1001b. Blueetoae—37/6 per cwt.