GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 65, 17 March 1936, Page 4

GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

BARLEY IS CHEAPER. AFRICAN MAIZE TO HAND. Since last report fresh supplies of pollard have come to hand from Australia and have relieved the position in regard to this grain, which, however, is at too high a price to stimulate heavy consumption. There has been no change in regard to the output of local mills, which is still being rationed out to regular customers. Bran sells quietly at late rates. The market for horse feed is very restricted and quotations, both for oats and chaff, are unaltered. A very unusual position has arisen in regard to fowl wheat. As a result of damage done to the crops in the South lines that will pass the ordinary grading test are extremely hard to procure, and it appears as though local poultry feeders will have to use chiefly undergrade lines. The price of graded wheat has been advanced Id a bushel to 6/2, through store, and ungraded qualities are available at a few pence lower. Maize is more plentiful through the arrival, yesterday of a shipment from South Africa, which came to hand in excellent condition. Merchants report that their orders were short shipped, but the aggregate quantity should be sufficient for a month's requirements, particularly as the price, 6/9 per bushel, is still too high to encourage free consumption. The only concession available on this importation was that purchasers taking delivery direct from the steamer's 'fside were able to save a few pence per bushel in transport charges. Ne.yt importations to this centre are from South Africa and from Java, due in May. Freer supplies of this season's Australian barley have resulted in a reduction of 3d per bushel in the local price, which now stands at 4/2 for clipped and 3/9 for undipped lines. Some consternation has been caused in the trade by the notification of the Government that further permits to import from Australia will not, be issued. The position is that the quantities already ordered by merchants under existing permits is fairly substantial, but some commitments have been made by dealers who had not taken the precaution to obtain / permits first, and their position is difficult, especially as holders of New' Zealand Chevalier barley have now raised their price for anything suitable for feeding purposes. Excessive moisture appears to have affected the quality of Pukekohe potatoes and some merchants are turning their attention to the Manawatu crop, which is now available at about 30/ per ton above Pukekohe rates, both landed in Auckland. Onions are still selling at late rates. Wholesale Current Prices. Pollard and Bran.—Mill prices': Pollard, £6 10/ per ton; bran, £6. Merchants' prices: Pollard, local, £7 per ton; Australian, £8 17/6; bran. £6 15/. Oats.—Feed: B Cartons, 3/11 per bushel; A Cartons, 4/3; clipped Cartons, 4/6; clipped Duns, 5/9; clipped Algerians, 4/3. Fowl Wheat. —Canterbury. 6/2 per bushel; undergrade. Id to 3d less. , Maize.—Whole and crushed, 6/9 per bushel. Barley.—Feed: Clipped, 4/2 per bushel; undipped. 3/9. Seed: Cape. 5/6 per bushel. Barley Meal.—9/ per 1001b. Wlicatmeal. —10/3 per 1001b. Chaff.—G.b.o.s., £7 17/6 per ton, for Southern. Potatoes. —3/ to 3/3 per sugar bag, £4 15/ per ton. on rail, Pukekohe. Onions. —3/6 per sugar bag, £5 10/ per ton, on rail, Pukekohe.