MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 260, 3 November 1931, Page 4

MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

BUSINESS WELL MAINTAINED DESICCATED COCONUT FIRMER. FIJIAN PINEAPPLE PRICES NAMED "Auckland Star" Office, Tuesday, November 3. Trade was well maintained throughout the whole of the week, grocery wholesale houses Opening up to substantial business after the holiday. The arrival of the Island steamer also meant additional business to those wholesalers who take care of this class of trade, and this, together with the carry over of the first of the month deliveries, caused an exceptionally busy week. Retail trade showed a very much brighter tone during the week-end, the fine weather being a considerable help to shoppers, most retail shops throughout the town area experiencing a very good day On Friday particularly, which is the late night. With only another six weeks to Christmas retail stores are commencing to make attractive displays of lines suitable for the coming festive season, and provided that the present weather holds very much better trading conditions should be experienced during this period. General News.

Business throughout the wholesale section was very well maintained yesterday, wholesale deliveries being substantially heavier owing to the first of the month tobacco and cigarette deliveries being dispatched throughout the town area. Some fairly heavy shipments are expected from overseas this week, and as many lines now due are being anxiously inquired for on account of previous shortages experienced, merchants anticipate continued activity throughout the week. Due to the present depreciated exchange one prominent brand of American cereal foods has been increased in wholesale cost approximately 15 per cent. Further supplies of bulk Epsom salts, peanut kernels, carton desiccated coconut, as well as full stocks of Southern breakfast cereal foods and tea came to hand during the week. Singapore pineapples in some brands are still short, with no further supplies available unless consignments are brought forward via Australia, which would be at additional cost. The recent bonus scheme on a popular and well-known line of English effervescent salts has now been withdrawn. New season's cheese in many of the popular brands usually distributed on this market are now coming to hand and are being distributed, previous bookings being quite substantial. A well-known line of South-1 ern packet tea that sells very well throughout this area has just been reduced Id per lb to the wholesale. The retail price remains the same as previously. The same company are also offering to the trade a new pack which will sell at a popular figure. Another line being offered to the trade is 51b and 101b fancy lithographed canisters of tea which are expected to have a popular appeal to the public on account of the attractive pack. One local tea distributor of quite a number of brands notified the trade last week of reductions on a number of lines. Supplies of Australian currants are still available from Australia, recent orders receiving confirmation during the week-end. Agents indicate, however, that available supplies must be getting scarce and advise that any wholesalers who are likely to be short between now and Christmas should cover for their requirements immediately. Retail prices on the grades under offer are considered particularly reasonable at_ this time and on account of the low prices very much more business is expected during the next few months. Australian prunes are still withdrawn and it seems doubtful at this juncture whether there will be any further supplies available this season. Christmas puddings in Vilb and lib cartons, as well as 14oz, VAlh and 21b bowls, are now commencing to sell for November/December delivery. Some sizes previously offered have been withdrawn, owing to supplies being sold up. Christmas cakes for the same period of delivery are also expected to sell well during the next few months. Fairly substantial supplies of crystallised and drained

cherries seem to be available at tli€ moment, but as_ trade is usually very heavj on these two lines owing to the require' ments of the public for Christinas cooking during the next six weeks., stocks later on are likely to be scarce. Quite a numbci of shipments have been delayed, and this together with the depreciation in the French exchange will mean that supplies later on will be scarce and landing costs much higher, so that the retail would be strongly advised to cover their require ments while stocks a.re available. Fi'uil pulp in sueli lines as black currant, etc. ; is very seasonable for jam making just now and supplies are selling very well foi this time of the year. The Kaponjja which -was previously bringing direct shipments of canned and dried fruits, as well > as macaroni, Vermicelli, etc., from Meli bourne, was expected to leave yesterday i It is anticipated that a still further delaj will take place owing to this steamer mak- * ing calls en route at both Wellington and Westport. On account of this the Kaponga is not expected to arrive in Auckland until somewhere between the loth and 20th of the month, which will have the effect of making canned fruits, particularly seconds, very short until this arrival. Recent landings of Sapolin goods from America have costcd very much higher, which has forced readjustments on ,wholesale costs at an advance of approximately 20 per cent. Late landings of peanut kernels are now being offered at a slight advance on previous rates. A very popular brand of patent medicine was increased 1/ per dozen during the week, A number of wholesale houses report supplies of sweet corn to be very low at the moment. Some brands of Singapore sliced pines are also very short. Locally packed l's and 2's strawberry jam and melon and lemon are unprocurable meantime. A line of jar shn ving cream is now being offered to the trade on a basis of 13 to the dozen. Cheap cigarette papers are rather scarce, and supplies from mOst sources are unobtainable at the moment. Fractional reductions in first cost have been noted on next shipments of macaroni and vermicelli from Australia. On the other hand Canadian prices are reported to be firming which will mean increased costs on landing. English safeties have been short and are landing to-day. Desiccated Coconut. The market for desiccated coconut after being quoted, then withdrawn and then requoted again is now showing a Very firm tendency, latest prices being listed at further increases. Fairly good business has been done, as buyers are anxious to get shipments forward in ample time for the t'equirements of the coming season. A cable received during the Week-end advised a further firming, the latest increase being a further advance of 9d per cwt for prompt shipment. Pineapples. New season's prices on Fijian pineapples have just been named for both present and forward shipment. In comparison to the previous season most lines are listed at some quite' fair reductions. Slices in the various sizes show approximate reductions of 1/6 to 1/9 per dozen, and Crushed from 3d to od per dozen. As Fijian pineapples are -essentially a quality pack and it is impossible to bring forward Hawaiian owing to high landing charges, Fijian have practically replaced Hawaiian on this market, and quite fanbusiness is expected to be done during the season. So far no crop report is available, but supplies are estimated to_ be fairly plentiful. Singapore prices on pines for the next direct shipment remain unchanged from Inst report, and at the list rates are coneiderqd very favourable to buyers. The market is said to be quite firm, and most merchants who have not already finalised their season's business are now negotiating. Ceylon Tea. At the usual weekly sale of Ceylon tea held at Colombo on the 2Sth ultimo 1.850,0Q01b was placed under offer. Quality of the Uva grades in particular showed a .slight falling off, while others proved useful, the result of the sale showing a very firm market, with the result that commons and Price broken orange Pekoes advanced Mid per lb. plain 8.0.P.'s %d per lb. Due to slight falling off in quality in the better grades, first classic broken Pekoes declined i-id per lb, and fine broken orange Pekoes

Id per lb. Exchange has made quite a decided increase, at present being quoted at 1/6 and 7-16ths.

C-alifornian Bulk Raisins

American fruit still- remains very firm, an advance of 2/ per cwt being advised on soda-bleached raisins. Oil-bleached sultanas are also quoted at the same price advance. Some particularly fine samples of oil-bleached sultanas have been offered during this week at prices that should be quite attractive as they are considerably under to-day's market. In view of the present scarcity in other lines quite substantial business has been done, and purchases should arrive in ample time for Christmas trade. These consignments should be a very welcome addition to the market, whicli is extremely short of fruit of this type. Reports from America are to the effect that the goods represented by the samples comprise practically the whole of the unsold oil-bleached fruit in merchants' hands in Californian, as this year only very few tons were made. Norwegian Sild. Norwegian sild were increased 2/ per case practically all round a few weeks ago. Apparently the firmness in tins market has not been maintained, as revised quotation's show a reduction of 1/ per case on the recent increases. Smyrna Sultanas. Slightly better quotations are available on Smyrna sultanas this week, agrnts being in receipt of cable quotations showing a reduction of 1/ per cwt. American Resin. Prices on American resin are again firmer, both "G" and "N" grades being relisted at an advance of 5/ per ton. As prices are now based on a $4.85 conversion rate any alteration to buyer's account will have the effect of increasing buyer's landed cost considerably. Dates. Carton dates, in cables just received from London are reduced 3/ per cwt in the 12oz size. On the other hand, Khedrawi bulk are again firmer, an advance of 1/ per cwt being advised by cable in reeent quotations. Turpentine. Pine tree turpentine is again firmer, cables received during the week advising an approximate increase of Id per gallon for prompt shipment. Java Kernels. Latest advices in connection with the market for Java kernels indicate that the market is very strong and adequate supplies exceedingly difficult to obtain. Prices advised this week show a considerable advance, quotations being for December direct shipment. Wholesale Current Prices. Butter.—First grade factory, booked 1/1 per lb, and per lb for prompt cash. Second grade factory, booked 1/ per lb and per lb for prompt cash. Farmers' separator, 9Vkl per lb. Cheese.—First grade factory, export size (80's), SVzd to 7d per lb net; best quality medium (40's), 7*/2 d to 8d per lb; first quality, 7d per lb net; loaf, 71/sd--B%d per lb; tinfoil, Vzlb pats, 1/3 per lb. Honey.—Bulk white, SVad per lb; light amber, 4%d to 5d t>er lb. Bacon. —Hams, 9Vid to lOd per lb; rolled hams, llVfcd; cooked whole ham, ty to 1/1 per lb; cooked pressed hams, 1/3 per lb; bacon sides, to B%d per lb; rolled sides, 9%d to 10Mid per lb; middles, 10V*d to 10% d per lb; shoulders, 6%d per lb; rolled shoulders, BVzd per lb; lard, bulk. 6d per lb; pats, 7d per lb. Flour.—Local, 2001b sacks, £18 7/6 per ton: 100's, £19 2/6 per ton; 50's, £19 12/6 per ton; 25's, £20 7/6 per ton; 12Ys'b, £21 5/ per ton; £21 15/ per ton. Linseed.—Whole, 16/11 per cwt. Linseed Meal.—l 7/3 per 1001b. Melt.—Crushed, 11/3 per bushel; whole white, 10/0 pfer bushel; whole black, 13/6 P€ Twifies.— Seaming, first quality, 2/6 pet lb; second quality, 2/S per lb; binder, 7%a P et " I' - Peameal.—lo/6 per 1001b. Linseed Oil Cake Nuts. 11/9 per 1001b. Bluestone.—4o/6 per uwt.