GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 85, 11 April 1933, Page 4

GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

POTATOES ARE DEARER. MANAWATU NOW AVAILABLE. There has been a sharp rise in the local potato market since last report, and Puke-kohc-grown, which had been selling for a lengthy period at the low figure of 2/6 per cwt on trucks, now command 4/6. It is questionable whether this rate will be maintained. The present is between two seasonal crops, and the main autumn will, not be available for another week. When digging of these fresh supplies is in full swing there may be an easing in prices. Still more important, the quality is likely to be better. In recent weeks the local market has been flooded with under-sized and poorly graded lines. This has left an opening for Manawatu imports, and the first of these came to hand within the last few days. The quality is reported to be quite good, and the tubers command a premium over the local-grown.

Southern Island potatoes are being freely offered at low rates, but there is little local interest in the quotations. Pukekohe autumn crop and Manawatu supplies are likely to keep this centre weil supplied for a least another month. Onions. There is no change in the market for onions, which are slow of sale at 8/ per cwt through store. Pollard and Bran. The market for pollard in Australia is slightly weaker, from which it may be assumed that regular importations from that source will continue in the meantime. Bran is still dull of sale. Quotations for both these lines are unchanged. Fowl Wheat and Maize. Wheat is still selling freely at 4/6 per bushel, and, so far as can be judged, the market is likely to be fairly stable at about this figure for some time to come. Maize, on the other hand, is rather dull of sale. Holders are firm, in that their ideas of value and the relatively higher price of this grain is checking consumption. Oats and Chaff. Business in horse feed is very restricted, despite the low prices. B Garton oats sell at 2/8 per bushel, and oaten sheaf chaff at £6 5/ per ton. Wholesale Current Prices. Pollard and Bran. —Mill prices: Pollard, £5 10/ per ton; bran, £5 10/ per ton: Merchants' prices: Pollard, local, £6 per ton; Australian, £6 10/; bran, £6. Oats.—Feed;. B Gartons, 2/8 per bushel; A Gartons, 2/10; clipped Duns, 3/9; clipped Algerians, Australian, 4/6; New Zealand, 4/; clipped Gartons, 3/6. Fowl Wheat.—Blenheim and Canterbury, 4/6 per bushel. Maize.—Bay of Plenty, 5/3; African, crushed, 4/9 per bushel (501b). Barley.—Feed: Clipped, 4/ to 4/2 per bushel. Seed: Cape, 6/ per bushel. Maize Meal.—9/6 per 1001b. Barley Meal.—B/6 per 1001b. Chaff.—G.b.o.s., £6 5/ per ton, Blenheim or Canterbury. Potatoes.—Local, £5 per ton; Manawatu, £6. Onions.—Local, 6/ per ewt.