MARKETS AT A GLANCE

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 160, 9 July 1935, Page 4

MARKETS AT A GLANCE

STEADY BUSINESS,

SHORTAGE OF DRIED FRUITS

DESICCATED COCONUT MARKET Flint. " Auckland Star " Office, Tuesday, July 9, 1035. Wholesale grocery merchants report that business lias remained fairly steady throughout the week. Country travellers' bookings are very fair considering that most stores have just received their July 1 orders, which merchants commenced delivering a fortnight ago. General News. Australian packers of dried apricots, poaches, and pears have just advised the trade tiiat further supplies are exhausted. Local stocks at present held are not considered sufficient to cater for the require"ments of the trade for the balance of .the year, and an early shortage is anticipated. Fortunately some merchants secured small consignments of South African jam apricots, but as no more can be obtained these are expected to be quickly cleaned up. The only line now available f-rom. Australia is a few nectarines, which unfortunately are not in such favour as the other' varieties. Cable advices received this week from one of tlie larger packers in connection with the Californian* muscatel position indicate that there is a probability of shipment being considerably delayed owing to poolcrop caused by bad weather, and in some quarters it is considered doubtful if consignments will arrive in time for Christmas trade. Sixteenths Norwegian sardines have been very short, but this situation will soon be relieved, as further consignments are expected to arrive to-morrow. Supplies of Californian fruits have been very short, and consignments due by the Monterey on the *12th arc expected to relieve the situation considerably. Shipments comprise 15-ounce packets seeded and seedless raisins,, also Thompson's seedless bulk and prunes in various sizes. Supplies of desiccated coconut lately come to hand have landed a* Higher costs, with the result that merchants have been compelled to increase their selling rates on a basis of this later landing. Australian prunes in 71b tins have proved very popular, with the result that although further supplies are arriving tomorrow no further shipments are expected I this season. The most popular selling size has been 40/50's. Arrivals from py«£seas are powdered borax, seeded raisins. Thompson's seedless raisins, desiccated coconut, wax matches, cough remedies, Ceylon tea, English Worcester sauce, soap, essence of anchovies, boot polish, breakfast foods, malt extract, dates, rolled oats, etc.

Desiccated Coconut. The market for desiccated coconut in recent cables is showing a decidedly firm tone and from the information available agent.-? arc expecting prices *o go still higher. Present rates arc therefore considered excellent 'buying, and further business has been sent up. Sicily Almonds. Further increases have been noted in the market for Sicily nlnionds in cables recently received. This market has been quoted'at very high figures for some time, and lato cables indicate a further increase of £9 per ton since previous prices were advised. Even at this figure some interest is being taken, as still higher market rates are expected. Prunes. -Quotations for Californian prunes for prompt shipment arc again showing an casing tendency, slight reductions being quoted in all sizes. Quotations for new season's prunes for October shipment are also available. Asparagus. The first shipment of new season's asparagus arrive*? by the Wairuna. last Sunday week. CcsU are slightly higher than last year, but notwithstanding this the present shipment is expected to be distributed fairly rapidly, as supplies are not very plentiful. Overseas packers state that the quantity available is in very small compass, and very heavy bookings have been made. Certain sizes were quickly withdrawn shortly after prices were named. Resin. The American market for resin is still showing an easier tendency. G grade is quoted unchanged, but N in recent cables shows a further reduction of 1/0 per ton. Prices are lower than they have been lor some time, with the result that additional business has been put through at the lower rates. Turpentine. ■ Quotations for Pine Tree turpentine are fairly steady, although one seller in recent cables advises a reduction <!f Id per gallon. Business has been put through at the reduction for botli prompt and forward shipment and continued. Lima Beans. There is a general fairly heavy demand for Lima beans during tiie winter months, and this season stocks have been hardly sufficient to cater for the demand. Unfortunately London quotations for immediate shipment are showing a very firm tone, with the result that further landings will show slight increases on present rates. • Pineapples. Singapore grades of pineapples are firmer to the extent of 94d per dozen on most grades. The main increase is on 2V6lb, sliced, which show an advance of l%d per dozen. The majority of merchants' business lias already been done, and with prices showing a continual (inning tendency, earlier bookings have proved to be excellent buying. The present firmness in the market is no doubt due to the summer demand from Great Britain, which has been responsible for largely increased business from that quarter. A fair amount of business has been done on most grades, but quite substantial parcels have been booked on second grade cubes, which show an advantage on present rates in favour of buyers of 3d per dozen.

Tapioca. Penang grades in late cables received remain unchanged. Singapore small pearl, on the other hand, shows a reduction of l%d per cwt, sellers advising that the. market is steady and featureless, very little buying taking place at ,£hc moment. Californian Raisins. ! The general grocery trade arc anxiously waiting on a full list -of quotations for Californian fruit varieties. So far only golden bleached and muscatels have been quoted; and limited 'bookings have been made. Jute. The market on corn sacks and wool sacks is fairly firm at present, although recent cables advise that lower prices are indicated for forward shipment later in the year. Quotations to hand for NovemberDecember shipment show a reduction of Id on corn sacks and %d on wool sacks. which is considered quite an advantage for that shipment. Wholesale Current Prices. Butter.—First grade factory, booked, 1/0% per lb and 1/ per lb for prompt cash; second grade factory, booked, ll%d per lb, and lid per lb for prompt cash. Farmers' separator, lOd per lb. Cheese. —First grade factory size (80's), 5%d per lb net; best quality medium (40'e)i 6%d per lb; first quality, 6d per lb; loaf. 7%d per lb; tinfoil, %lb pats. 1/3 per lb. Honey.—Bulk, white, 6%d per lb; light amber, 5%d per, lb. Bacon.—Ham, 1/1 per lb; rolled boneless ham, 1/3 per lb; cooked whole ham, 1/5 per lb; cooked rolled ham, 1/6 per lb; cooked pressed ham, 1/8 per lb; bacon sides, lid per lb; -rolled sides, 1/0% per lb; rolled middles, 1/1% per lb: shoulders, 8d per lb; rolled shoulders, 9%d per lb; cooked pressed shoulders, 1/ per lb. Lard, bulk, 6%d per lb; pats, 7d per lb; dripping, 5d per lb. Linseed.—Crushed, 24/9 per cwt; whole. 23/0 per cwt.

Linseed Meal.—l 2/0 per 1001b. Flour.—Local: 2001b sacks, £14 12/6 per ton; 100's, £15 10/ per ton; 50's, £16 per ton; 25's, £1G 15/ per ton; 12%'s, £17 2/6 per ton; GVi'e, £18 2/G per ton. Malt.—Crushed, 10/3 per bushel; whole white, 0/6 per bushel; whole black, 11/G per bushel. Twines.—Seaming, first quality, 2/3 per lb; second quality, 1/11 per lb; binder, 49/G per cwt.\ Bluestonc. —27/6 per cwt.