MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 1, 3 January 1933, Page 4

MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

GOOD NEW YEAR TRADING. EASTERN STEAMER DUE JANUARY 6. PRUNE COSTS SLIGHTLY LOWER. "Auckland Star" Office, Tuesday, January 3. During Christmas week substantial business was done by wholesale merchants right up to closing for the holidays. As far as grocery merchants' actual sales were concerned, they were numerically greater than previous years, but owing to the economic situation the total value of purchases was not so great as formerly, with, the result that merchants' turnover was fractionally less. The retail grocery trade experienced very brisk trading in all Christmas commodities, with the result that in the majority of cases they were sold up of the many seasonable lines that are_ so much sought after during this period. It is rather unfortunate that Friday, the late shopping night, proved so wet, but, as it cleared later in the day, shopping at night was not interfered with to any great extent, although this was not so great as would have been the case had more favourable weather conditions prevailed. Fancy goods distributors reported exceptionally bright business during the Christmas period, and in .the majority of eases the opinion was expressed that this year was considerably better than the previous season. The Island steamer was in port during Christmas week, and this added to merchants' activities, as all goods had to be got ready and despatched within a few days. In wholesale grocery circles trade between the Christmas and New Year holidays was fairly active, various stores sending for last minute requirements or for replenishments of goods sold out during the previous week. As all merchants were only working with skeleton 6taffs, the various departments were kept going. New Year week opened up brightly, and, as merchants' travellers are now making their various calls, business should be back to normal within the next few days.

. General News. All English shipments that have arrived during the past few weeks have been costing out slightly less than formerly, owing to the withdrawal of the surtax. The Surrey, which arrived at the end of last month, brought, amongst other lines for this iport, bi-carbonate of soda in various packings, caustic soda in Wa, l's and 2's, iodised- salt as well as plain in 51b bags, also lewt bags in fine and coarse. Other lines that arrived during the last few days are greaseproof paper, English matches in various brands, English custard powder, soot destroyers, fluid magnesia, Gloy paste, rennet, fish pastes in lYzoz .and 3oz jars, anchovy sauce, curry powder, essences, calves' foot jelly, ground almonds, cigarettes, cornflour, cream of tartar, etc. The Mariposa just arrived has brought, amongst other lines, prunes in assorted packings, which should prove very welcome at this time. Considerable interest is being taken in the arrival of the Eastern steamer, the Narbada, which is due on the 6th inst. This vessel is carrying the main Eastern supplies for the next three months, and is bringing to merchants' orders sago, flake and pearl tapioca, Rangoon rice, peanut kernels, kapok, doormats, pineapples, etc. Ine Sydney Maru, also just to hand, is bringing merchants' consignments of walnut halves, pieces and quarters. Of interest to the trade is the advice that all sizes of kraft fruit bags, satchel and self-opening satchels are listed at reductions on previous rates: all kraft fruit bags, both square and long, have been reduced from approximately Id to 1/3 per 1000. Ordinary grocers' sugar bags have also been reduced 1/6 per cwt. These alterations are due to the reductions in kraft paper recently announced. Fractional reductions have been noted in recent prices for prunes, and, owing to the continued appreciation of exchange, it is hoped that the next landings will be on a much better basis than formerly.

Sicily Almonds. Sicily almonds, in cableß received just before Christmas, have shown a slight easing on the English market, latest quotations being at a reduction of £5 per ton. Brazil Nuts and Kernels. Opening prices for Brazil nuts for March shipment have shown a very much firmer tendency, and are considerably higher than thase ruling the previous year. Brazil kernels are also showing a hardening tendency, and English pack is now being quoted at an increase of 2d per lb. Dates. Samples of new season's pitted dates have opened up in a very satisfactory condition, and a heavy consumptive demand for this type is already noticeable Of interest to the trade are the special slab packs introduced this year, as they will probably continue a factor in this market in coming seasons. Ceylon Tea. At the last sale of the year for Ceylon tea, held on December 21, the quantity offered amounted to 2,250,0001b. Quality showed a slight improvement, and was brighter. The result of the sale showed that commonest were irregular and slightly easier. Actual price alterations showed very little change, most quotations remaining firm. Owing to the holidays, no further sales will be' held until Tuesday. January 10. Eastern Markets.

Peppers have remained firm, an advance of %d per lb being noted on all grades. Nutmegs are also on a firm market; UO's are unchanged, but sound shrivelled show an increase of %d per lb. Mace is fairly steady, the only alteration being a reduction of %d per lb on both first grade and broken quality. Tapioca.—Flake tapioca is firm, latest prices received showing an increase of 1/ P Pineapples.—Despite expectations, Singapore pineapples are very firm, the following advances being noted:—l%lb cubes, l%d per dozen; l%lb sliced flats, 21b sliced, and l%lb second grade cubes advanced %a per dozen; 2%1b sliced, a reduction of 3d per dozen. Other packs remain unchanged. Inquiries for Eastern goods are rather quiet, at this time of the year buyers mainly waiting on the arrival of the Narbada in January before displaying interest in next steamer bookings. Turpentine. The market for pine tree turpentine has remained fairly steady during the past few | weeks, the only alteration listed being an increase of V2A per gallon. Buying lately has been rather quiet, due mainly, it 13 thought, to the high landed cost of any shipments coming forward. Resin. The market for resin remains fairly steady on American grades, the only alteration being a reduction of 5/ per ton on "G " French, on the other hand, continues to have an upward tendency, latest cables showing a further advance of 7/0 per ton on "N" grade. Depreciated currency has had a lot to do with the late advances in this market. Canary Seed. Argentine has been again listed at last ruling rates, both old and new season s being quoted. A little business has been Dufc through recently, and further supplies have just come to hand by the Melbourne Maru, consignments by this vessel having been transhipped at Kobe. Spices and Coffee. Advieea received indicate that there has not been any marked change in spot quotations for spices since last report, although cables from overseas advise that doves and caraways have shown a fiimm«

tendency. Although values on coffee generally are lower than they were a] month ago, it now seems fairly certain that unsold stocks of Java Robusta coffee will not be nearly sufficient to satisfy normal requirements until such times when the-new crops are available, seven or eight months hence. Walnut Meat. During the past few weeks additional business has been put through for light amber quality walnut halves for forward shipment, the market being a shade easier on all grades. Reports to hand advise a short crop, and on this account the supplies of white meat are already in small compass, and therefore buyers would do well to take up any offers made on a basis of to-day's values. Of particular interest to the trade, was the advice of a shipment of approximately 100 cases which arrived just a few days before Christmas. It is understood that buyers' costs ex this arrival were exceptionally right, and those retailers who were fortunate enough to secure stocks ex this shipment have been therefore very pleased with their purchases. Desiccated Coconut. A fortnight ago the market for coconut was noted at some firmness, advances being recorded in both bulk and packet grades from various mills in Colombo. Apparently this advance was only a temporary one, as later advices stated that the prices previously prevailing are again in force. No fluctuation has been noted in Papuan, prices from this quarter being still very attractive. Mildura Fruit. Latest advices from the Commonwealth Dried Fruit Control Board state that sunpliers are still able to offer limited quantities of both 2 and 3-crown sultanas and. currants, although it is indicated that stocks must now be getting very low, and agents indicate that they would not be at all surprised to receive advices withdrawing quotations owing to stocks being exhausted.

Crystallised Cherries. Owing to the Christmas demand, supplies of crvstallised cherries have been fairly short" on spot, but now that the demand is practically over, and with the arrival of further stocks of cherries in brine, it is anticipated that these will prove ample to meet existing demand. Quality of the local product is considered to b* quite satisfactory and well up to the imported product.

Wholesale Current Prices. Wholesale current prices at present are: — Butter.—First grade factory, booked lOVzd per lb, and lOd per lb for prompt cash; second grade factory, booked 9%d per lb, and 9d per lb for prompt cash. Farmers' separator, 8d per lb. Cheese. — First grade factory size (80's), 6d to 6%d per lb net; best quality medium (40's). 6ttd to 7d per lb; first quality, G%d per lb; loaf, Mid to KM per lb; tinfoil, V 2 \b pats, 1/3 per lb; bars, lid to 1/ per lb net. Honey.—Bulk white, 5d per lb; light amber, 4%d per lb. Bacon.—Hams, 9%d to lid per lb; rolled hams, 1/1 per lb: cooked ham, 1/1 to 1/3 per lb; cooked pressed hams, 1/5 per lb; bacon sides, 7%d to B%d per lb; rolled sides, 9%d to lOd per lb; middles. 9%<1 to lOd per lb; shoulders, 6%d per lb: rolled shoulders, B%d per lb. Lard, bulk, 6%d per lb; pats, 7%d per lb. Linseed.—Whole, 16/3 per cwt. Linseed Meal.—l 6/11 per 1001b. Flour.—Local: 2001b sacks, £15 7/6 per ton; 100's, £16 2/6 per ton; 50's. £16 12/6 per ton; 25'e. £17 7/6 per ton; 12%'s, £18 5/ per ton; 6%'5,/£lB 15/ per ton. Malt.—Crushed, 11/9 per bushel; whole white, 11/3 per bushel.; whole black, 13/ per bushel. Twines.—Seaming, first quality, 2/6 psr lb; second quality, 2/3 per lb; binder. 59/ per cwt. Peameal.—lo/ per 1001b. Bluestone.—36/3 per cwt. Linseed Oil Cake Nuts.—l 2/3 per 1001b.