MARKETS AT A GLANCE

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 268, 12 November 1935, Page 4

MARKETS AT A GLANCE

QUIET TRADING WEEK ANTICIPATED. NEW DATES DUE EARLY DECEMBER. FIRM MARKET OX SHEEP TONGUES. "Auckland Star"- Office, Tuesday, November 12. Wholesale grocery business has cased off now that all storekeepers' early November requirements have been delivered. Business opened up rather quietly yesterday, and the amount of business nowbeing done is in keeping with the time of the month. General News.

Owing to the 16th November falling on ■ a Saturday, deliveries of tobacco andcigarettes usually made on that date will be commenced on the day previous. Merchants have been rather disappointed at the nan-arrival of bulk supplies of new crop Californian prunes, which has resulted in a definite shortage of all grades until the next eteainer arrival, due approximately at the end of this month, Further supplies of new season's Australian muscatels are now to hand, and due to the delay in shipment in supplies of Californian, these not being expected until December, a keen demand is anticipated. A small parcel of Australian standard peaches and nectarines have been received, and in view of the small supplies available are expected to be in keen demand. A shipment of Australian canned pears has also just come to hand, merchants being forced to purchase these owing to the dearth of supplies of locally packed, these being withdrawn from the trade some months ago. Supplies of new season's soft shell almonds are now in stock, which will enable merchants to complete the greater portion of their Christmas indents. A shipment of Chinese rice has just 'been imported to this market, and as quality is excellent should commend itself to those retailers who cater for the better class of trade. MerI chants have received advice that all bisI cuits costing 0d per lb wholesale or less have been increased VSd per lb. Advices received from Australia in connection with rice, state that the firmness of overseas markets lias been well maintained, with the result that there has been a greatly improved demand for Australian for both prompt and forward shipment. They also indicate that although pepper has shown some slight fluctuation holders have not been anxious to accept orders for delivery far ahead. Definite advice has now been received that the Pimento crop will be much below average, with a consequent firming or prices. Stock* of ginger held in Australia are very light, with no prospects of further quantities being available for four or five months. I In coffee, prices for Mocha coffee arc at I much higher rates, and it is reported that only small stocks are held at ports of shipment. Owing to extensive operations by American buyers, prices for Robusta coffee are moving up gradually. In seeds fair quantities of Argentine canary seed have been sold, but supplies held in Australia are now very light, with no prospects of supplies being replaced at artything near present rates. Millet, hemp and rape seeds have been selling freely. with new season's supplies not due for another couple of months. In beans there lias not been any change of importance since last advices. An advance of 5/ per dozen has been announced for the small size of a well-known brand of indigestion powder, the large size not being - altered meanwhile. Reductions of approximately 20 per cent in the price of a local line of cut mixed peel have been advised for the %lb and %lb packets, the price of bulk being unchanged. Arrivals to hand from overseas during the past week coinprise shipments of block cleaning powder, new crop soft shell almonds, Ceylon tea, table rice, 71b tins prunes in 60-70's, 70-80's and 40-50's. ointments and medicinal preparations, 2 and 3-Crown sultanas, I'd cartons Australian muscatels, l-Crown peaches, canned pears, greaseproof paper, Java peanut kernels, choice golden bleached raisins, sheep tongues, bulk malt extract, baking powder, breakfast foods, tobacco, cigarettes. Californian prunes in 18-24's, 30-40's and -10-50's, tartaric acid, i etc. ' i .Sheep Tongues. A number of packers of sheep tongues advise an increase of 1/ per dozen in this line. Supplies of some brands are likely to be short during the next few months. Dates. Latest information to hand stales that the direct steamer will arrive in Sydney on December 2, with the possibility of i transhipment about the sth, arriving here a few days later. Ceylon Tea.

Mail advicee received from Colombo during the last few days advise that four sales were held during the month of August, and as whs expected only very small supplies came on to the market, 5,673,2861b being catalogued for local sales as compared with 0;i26,8701b in July, although it must be said that five auctions were held during the latter month. The total was also some 2,000,0001b less than August, 1D34. There was a very good 'demand for all types, and although low grown teas were slightly easier in the first auctions prices 'recovered and continued to be well maintained throughout the month. Low grown Broken Pekoes were the strong feature (it was thought on account of. American buying), and the price of this grade was mote often than not higher than those of the corresponding Broken Orange Pekoes. High and medium grown Brokens were well supported at satisfactory rates, whilst similar leaf teas were occasionally competed for again for shipment to America. Quality although, satisfactory showed signs of falling away in the last auction, this being particularly eo in the case of Badulla teas. Generally speaking, it lias altogether been a most disappointing Uva season from every point of view. Very few stand out invoices with real flavour were seen, and the usual high prices expected for these teas were not realised. Competition was very 'limited, and it appeared that most parcels were split up between two large United Kingdom blenders. A reasonably satisfactory average of 67.25 cents was realised for the month's supply, showing an advance of 2 cents for the same month' last year. As a result of the short month's harvest the total September shipment figures were also smaller, with the exception of South Africa, which showed a considerable increase. As compared with the previous month, Australian shipments were more than half, which was very disappointing. Most of the blending districts have been experiencing rain during the past week or two, and as a result quality of forward musters shows a falling off. Supplies on the other hand should be materially increased towards the middle of October. Normally, with larger supplies available, the price of common tea would be expected to be irregularly easier, but in view of the improvement in the United Kingdom stock position and the smaller sup-plies that will be arriving, it seems impossible to forecast the future trend of things. Present advices indicate that common tea is advancing in London, in which case the Colombo market will follow. Exchange remained unaltered.

Turpentine. Quotations for pine tree turpentine just received by cable are again lower to the extent of %d per gallon. Notwithstanding the declines that have taken place during the past few weeks, prices are still high, with the result that very little interest is being taken in agents' offers just at the moment. Pineapples. The market for Singapore pineapples remains fairly steady, with several lines reduced slightly in price. VA\h sliced flats and 2%1b sliced tails show a reduction of %d per dozen, 21b sliced %d per dozen, l%lb sliced talk and lVfclb crushed %d per dozen. Stocks locally are fairly well held just at present, and it looks as it' the quality likely to come forward by the next direct steamer will be somewhat smaller than usual. »

Resin. Tlig market for American resin is showing an easier tendency, and last week quotations were again reduced by 2/6 per ton on G, and 4/ per ton on N grade. Quotations for N grade arc now back to the lowest level that has been seen for some considerable time. Tapioca. The market for tapioca shows an easier tone in cables just received, prices of all lines being reduced as follows: Singapore pearl sago, 6d per cwt; Penang seed, 9d pur cwt; and medium pearl tapioca, 9d per cwt. Small Hake tapioca, which was j quoted last week remains firm. Tapioca is becoming rather short on spot, although further supplies came to hand via Australia during the last few days. The quantity, however, was insufficient to make any difference in the local position. Sago and tapioca Hour are now quoted, the former at a reduction of 3d per cwt. Pepper. The market for pepper seems fairly steady just at present, and little interest is being taken at the moment. Some business was put up last week at slightly lower figures than shippers' cabled quotations, but w.is not accepted, which would indicate that the bottom of this market has been reached for the time being. Nutmegs and Mace. Quotations on both nutmegs and mace have been fairly high for some time, but the market is now showing an easier tone, quotations being reduced %d per lb all round. Desiccated Coconut. Agents for well-known mills advise that although the market for desiccated coconut is slightly easier in some quarters, the position is exceedingly firm, and there is no possibility of any drastic decline during the next few months. Dried Fruit. Further to the advice last week. The Dried Fruit Control Board now advise that they are finding it exceedingly difficult to confirm any orders in hand for 1Crown sultanas; in fact one agent has received advice not to submit any orders for this grade whatsoever. The board also state that they find themselves unable to confirm any further orders for 2Crown, as the supply of this grade also is practically exhausted. Only limited quantities of 3-Crown are available, and they indicate that orders should be placed immediately to avoid disappointment. Lexiae, both bulk and packets, are still offered, also muscatels and currants in 1, 2 and 3-Crown grades. Muscatels are in demand, with supplies ample at the moment. Wholesale Current Prices. Butter.—Finest grade booked, 1/2% per lb and 1/2 per lb for prompt cash; first grade factory, booked, 1/2 per lb and 1/1% per lb for prompt cash; second grade factory, booked, 1/1% per lb, and 1/1 per lb for prompt cash; whey, l/O'/j per lb and 1/ per lb for prompt cash. Cheese.--First grade factory size (80's). 7%d per lb net; medium (40's), 7%d per lb; first quality (20's), B'/4d per lb; loaf, B%d per lb; tinfoil, %lb pats, 1/3 per lb. Honey.—Bulk white, 5%d per lb; light amber, 5d per lb. Bacon.—Ham, 1/1 per lb; rolled bonclees ham, 1/3; cooked whole ham, 1 3: cooked rolled ham, 1/6; cooked pressed ham, 1/8; bacon sides, 9%d; rolled sides, lid; rolled middles, 1/; pressed shoulders, ll%d; lard, bulk, 7%d; pats, 8d; dripping, sd. ■ , , .Linseed.—Crushed, 22/9 per cwt; whole, 21/!) per cwt. Linseed Meal.—l 2/0 per IOOIb. Flour.—Local: 2001b sacks, £14 12/0 per ton; 100's, £15 10/: 50's. £16; 25's, £16 15/; 12%'s, £17 2/6; O'-i's, £18 2/6. Malt.—Crushed, 10/3 per bushel; whole white, 9/6; whole black. 11/0. Twines.—Seaming, first quality, 2/8 per lb; second quality, 2/2 per lb; binder, 49/6 per cwt. Blucstone.—27/6 per cvt.