AT THE MARTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 19, 24 January 1933, Page 4

AT THE MARTS.

SLUMP IN TOMATOES.

ANOTHER ADVANCE IN EGGS,

LEMONS IN GOOD DEMAND.

An unfortunate feature of the markets at the present time is the low price ruling for some of the main lines as a consequence of over-supply. For several weeks pota-

toes have occupied this position, and now tomatoes have come into the same category. Very heavy quantities of this seasonable fruit are coming forward, but, although the quality is excellent, vendors have to accept extremely low values. Inferior lines are virtually unsaleable. Peaches and good quality coloured dessert apples are 111 good demand. Nectarines continue slow of sale, Better J prices ruled for plums, and for October Purples 5/ to 6/ per case was realised. Apricots met with fair sale when in good condition, but many lines reached this market in bad order. The hot weather resulted in a good demand setting in for lemons. Tomatoes, on the other hand, sold at exceptionally low prices. Hothouse grapes are not in much demand, but choice repacked bananas sold at high prices. Quotations are: — Fruit. Apples: Dessert, Gravenstein, 5/ to 8/ case; choice Albany Beauty, 0/ to 10/; Astrakhan, 2/0 to 5/; windfalls and others, 1/ to 2/; cookers, 2/6 to 4/. Pears: Dessert, Bon Chretien, 5/ to 7/ case. Apricots: Utago, 4/ to 6/ case. Nectarines: 2/6 to 5/ case. Peaches: Paragon, 2/6 to 4/6; in trays, 5/6 to 9/- Plums: Sultans, 2/6 to 3/6; Burßanks, 1/6 to 2/6; Angelina, 3/ to 6/; Purple King, 4/ to 6/; others, 1/6 to 3/ case. Mushrooms: 8/ to 14/ per benzine tin. Raspberries: 4/ to 5/ per tin. Oranges: Valencia, 14/ to 15/ case. Tomatoes: Outdoor, 6d to 1/3 case. Bananas: No. l's, 20/ to 26/ per case; No. 2's, 10/ to 14/. Blackberries: 4%d to 5d chip. Capo gooseberries: 4d to 5d lb. Strawberries: 1/ and 1/5 chip; Marguerite and others, 9d to 1/3. Lemons: 6/ to 12/ case. Grapes: Hothouse, 9d to 1/3 lb. Apple cucumbers: 2/ to 3/ case. Sweet corn: 2/ case. Vegetables. There are still heavy supplies coming forward of potatoes and onions, both lines selling at low rates for this time of the year. Pumpkins are now available in larger quantities and prices are a shade easier. Cabbage are in short supply, but lettuce are being sent in freely. Peas and beans are not so plentiful. Quotations are: — Potatoes, 1/3 to 2/ per bag; swedes, 1/6 to 2/6 per bag; onions, 2/ to 2/3 per bag; kumaras, new season's, l%d to 2d lbj cabbages, 1/6 to 3/ sack; pumpkins, 3/ to 5/ cwt; cucumbers, 3d to 9d dozen; carrots, 1/ to 1/6 dozen; parsnips, 6d to 9d dozen; beet, 6d to 9d dozen; turnips, 6d dozen; radish, 6d dozen; spring onions, 4d to 6d per bundle; spinach, 6d to 9d per dozen; green peas, 2/6 to 5/6 per bag; French beans, 1/6 to 3/ per bag; marrows, 1/ to 2/ dozen; lettuce, 1/ to 4/0 per case; celery, dessert, 9d to 1/6 bundle; rhubarb, 9d to 2/6 dozen. Eggs Again Advance. , Another advance of one penny per dozen has taken place in the price of eggs as supplies are smaller. Pullets arc. not yet laying. Quotations are:—First grade lien eggs, 1/0%; B grade, ll%d; and C grade, B%d per dozen. First grade duck eggs: ll%d; B grade, 10V£d; and C grade, 8/id per dozen. _ * Farmers' butter is plentiful, prices ruling from Gd to 8d per lb. Poultry. At to-day's auctions the supply of poultry was heavy, and the demand was fair. The prices show a slight fall. Selling rates were as follow: — Cockerels: Heavy lireeds, prime 2/6 to 4/ each, not prime 6d up; light breeds, prime 1/6 to 2/6, not prime 2d up. Fat roosters: Heavy breeds, prime, 1/3 to 1/9; light breeds, 9d to 1/3. Fat hens: Heavy breeds, 1/3 to 2/; light breeds, 9d to 1/6. Pullets: Heavy breeds, best 2/6 to 4/; smaller 1/3 up; light breeds, best 2/6 to 4/, smaller 1/ up. Drakes: Young, prime, 1/6 to 2/; smaller, 9d up. Ducks: Young, 1/6 to 2/6; old, 8d up. Drakes: Old, 8d up. Guinea fowls: 2/6 up. <