MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 73, 28 March 1933, Page 4

MARKETS AT A GLANCE.

ACTIVE WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTION. SUGAR PRICES ADVANCE. S\GO AND TAPIOCA MARKET EASIER. "Auckland Star" Office, Tuesday, March 28, 1933. Brisk trading has been experienced by wholesale grocery merchants during th( past few days, and present indications point to a continuation of these conditions throughout the current week While it is evident that retailers arc buying rather conservatively, the number of invoices passing reveal that they arc working on limited stocks, which necessitates more rrequent ordering. General News. The Colonial Sugar Company hayo announced an advance of 10/ per ton in the price of refined sugar, and also a corresponding increase in the price of golden svi-up and treacle, the new rates becoming effective as from the 24th instant. 1 ablet and icing sugar remain unchanged meantime. The increase in the price ot tins commodity is due to the upward movement of prices in the world's, markets and to the higher cost of raw materials Quotations are now available for new season's mutton birds for shipment from Tasmania, and represent an increase of approximately 22% per cent on opening prices for last year. Initial supplies arc expected to reach this market during April-May, and orders arc now being booked for delivery ex this arrival. Several manufacturers of patent medicines and remedies have advised reductions in the cost'of their proprietary lines to cover the 5 per cent sales tax, thus enabling the retailer to sell at the price previously ruling. An announcement by one local manufacturer of a new small size pack of custard powder to retail at the popular price of 3d per packet shouid prove interesting to the storekeeper, particularly as an introductory bonus has been instituted of two packets free with every dozen purchased until the end of April. During the past week an advance has been notified in the price of a well-known local pack of coffee essence of 1/ per dozen on both pint and quart sizes. Importations from overseas have been rather light of late, the main arrivals to hand comprising consignments of English Epsom salts, insect powder, cream of tartar, salmon, desiccated coconut in bulk and lib and %lb packet*, tea, breakfast foods, patent medicines, coffee essence, Two-Crown currants, corks, etc. Sago and Tapioca. The market for sago and tapioca, which has been steadily rising for some considerable time, is now showing an easier tendency, cables received during the early part of the week advising a reduction on both these commodities. Later in the week advice was received that a further decline had taken place. Ceylon Tea. At the usual weekly sale of Ceylon tea held at Colombo on the 21st instant, the quantity brought to auction amounted to 3,250,0001b weight. Quality remained unqhan"-ed, a good selection of teas beinK offered, and the result of the sale showed a good demand, with commons and fine kinds strong, and mediums irregular and rather easier. Actual price alteratio s showed a reduction of %d per lb on plain B O.P.'s, First Classic Broken Pekoes, and Fine Broken Orange Pekoes declined Id per lb, while Commons and Price Broken Orange Pekoee remained firm and unchanged. Exchange was quoted at 1/6 7-32. Callfornian Dried Fruit. There is no alteration to report in the Californian dried fruit position, except that where sellers are quoting on a basis of exchange the improvement on the American dollar has had the effect of a slight reduction on all lines. Australian Prunes. During the past week cables have been received from Australia withdrawing quotations for Australian prunes, and until the time of writing no explanation has been received by agents for this action. Owing to shippers advising at the outset that only a limited surplus was available for export, substantial business was put through prior to the withdrawal of quotations on this line. Pineapples. Cables juet to hand advise that fair quality pineapples remain unaltered at previous ruling rates. First quality are showing slight reductions in all grades, with the exception of 21b sliced tails and 21b whole talk. Salmon. Latest advices received from some of the principal shippers of Canadian salmon indicate that they are unable to confirm any further orders for pinks. Desiccated Coconut. Quotations for Papuan desiccated coconut, which have been withdrawn since the beginning of the month, are again available for both bulk and lib and %lb packets at attractive rates. Prices for Ceylon pack remain unaltered, and are considered good value, with the result that quite fair business is being done in this variety. Pepper. Latest quotations to hand advise that pepper is showing a slight reduction on previous ruling rates. Almonds. Cables to hand during the past week advise that the market on present and new season's Sicily almonds has changed slightly since last report, in that whilst new seaeon's remain firm, on recent prices old season's have weakened slightly, and business was accepted this week at a reduction of 3/ per cwt. Ground almonds have aleo eased slightly, and are now quoted at 3/ per cwt below last week's rates. Brazil Nut Kernels. Although agents for one Liverpool shipper have received advice to advance prices %d per lb, other shippers are still accepting business at the opening rates previously announced. The new crop supplies of Brazil kernels will not be ready for shipment from Liverpool until about May, and consequently most buyers are withholding their orders until a more settled market is in evidence. Salt. Supplies of English salt arc in rather short supply on the local market, this being due to the fact that the next shipment being brought forward by the s.s. Kai Ora will not be here until April 5, this vessel having been delayed owing to a call at Capetown being necessary. Costs are now considerably higher owing to the increased exchange. Wholesale Current Prices. • Butter.—First grade factory, booked, 10% d per lb and 10d per lb for prompt cash; eecond grade factory, booked 9%d per lb, and 9d per lb for prompt cash. Fan,.ere' separator, 8d per lb. Cheese. — First grade factory size (80's), 6%d to 7d per lb net; best quality medium (40's), 6%d to 7%d per lb; first quality, 7d per lb: loaf, 7%d to 9d per lb; tinfoil, %lb pats, 1/3 per lb; bars, lid to 1/ per lb net. Honey.—Bulk white, 4%d per lb; light ainber, 4d per lb. Bacon. — Hams, 10d to lid per lb; rolled b'nni, 1/1 per lb; cooked ham, 1/3 pjr lb: cooked pressed hams. 1/5 per lb: Lacon sides, B%d to 9d per lb; rolled sides. lOd to lid per lb; middles, 10d to lid per lb; shoulders, 7%d per lb; rolled shoulders, 9%d per lb; lard, bulk, 7d per Ib; pats, 8d per lb. Linseed.—Whole. 16/3 per cwt. Linseed Meal.—l 6/11 per 1001b. Flour.—Local, 2001b sacks, £14 12/6 per ton; 100's, £15 10/; 50's, £16; 25's, £16 15/; 12%'s, £17 12/6; 6tt's, £18 2/6.

Malt.—Crushed, 11/3 per bushel; whole white, 11/ per bushel; whole black, 12/6 per bushel. Twines.—Seaming, first quality, 2/6 per 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.