MARKETS AT A GLANCE

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 69, 23 March 1937, Page 4

MARKETS AT A GLANCE

DISTRIBUTION IMPROVES,

GOOD BUYING MARKET,

APRIL DELIVERIES BEING MADE

"Auckland Star" Office

Tuesday; March 23, 1937. Business in wholesale distributing grocery circles has shown an improvement this .treek, a. fair amount of activity being evinced in overseas lines from which it is apparent the trade are taking advantage of the present state of the. market. Provided delivery can still be made ex local stocks, they can be bought at considerably lower rates than the .cost of future importations. General News. As a result of the recent spectacular advance m tin, the trade have received announcements by packers of advances in costs of such lines as 6almon, sardines and herrings. Locally packed tinned lines are also feeling the effect of the stiff advance in the price of tin, and where advances have not yet been made, the position of higher costs will soon have to be faced. Booking for the first of the month has been productive of increased business and merchants are looking forward, notwithstanding Easter this year is earlier than formerly, that this month's figures will be well up to the standard of the same month of the previous year.

Business for the beginning of April commenced to the country districts last Friday and in the town area "yesterday, with the result that all departments are very busy in taking care of the increased business eventuating.

Packing and dispatch departments are particularly active and are likely to continue so throughout the week, particularly as the week will be two days short on account of merchants closing for Easter.

A small shipment of asparagus arrived recently and was particularly welcome, shipment of this line being held up for many months on account of the late etrike.

Quotations on cotton twine are particularly firm, the market having advanced considerably some little while ago.

All grades of bird seed are listed at increased rates this week as a result of the higher cost of the bulk article.

Good bookings are reported on new season's Mildura sultanas as well as currants and lexias. Considerable interest has been taken in merchants' offers, particularly of sultanas; stocks of this line are completely exhausted and new supplies are expected early in April.

Due to the shortage of locally packed fruit pulp, particular interest is now being evinced in merchants' offerings of Tasnianian raspberry and black currant, and good sales are being experienced. The trade have recently been advised that a further increase has taken place in some varieties of biscuits, the advance in some cases being %d per lb; in other varieties the increases range up to 3d per lb.

A bonus on a well-known line of medicinal lozenges of one tin free per dozen with every minimum order of three dozen is being offered to the trade.

Several manufacturers last week advised increases in their prices for tomato and apple sauce of approximately 3d per dozen for nips, and 1/ per dozen for quart bottles.

A new and attractive packing of rat poison ready made up into baits and not injurious to any other animals is being marketed. It retails at the popular price of 1/ per packet and a ready reception by the buying public is assured. The manufacturers of a well known brand of washing flakes have advised that they will be offering a free knitting book with each two packets from the end of this month. As the quantity available with this offer is limited, retailers should make their reservations as early as possible.

From Monday, 22nd inst., two well known brands of wheat flake biscuits will be marketed for a limited period under a bonus scheme of one free per dozen and a 6oz sample with each packet. Shipments of powdered borax and Australian fruit salad, both of which have been particularly short have just arrived and are moving out very freely. Following the recent increase in the price of barley manufacturers announce an advance of approximately 1/ per bushel for all lines of grain malt. The manufacturers of a well known brand of polishing mops announce the introduction- of a new broom shape, for which a good demand is expected. Latest information to hand from Australian packers is that there will be no one-crown sultanas available until late April or early May. Supplies of the higher grades, however, are expected by the Wanganella which is due on March 31. In view of the present bare market storekeepers who have booked one-crown should make their reservations of twocrown early for the first boat. Resin. . The American market for resin is showinf a tinner tone again in cables received during the middle of last week. Quotations are listed at an advance of 3 6 per ton on "G" and 6/6 per ton on "> grade. Turpentine. The market for Pine Tree turpentine has been a little unsettled in recent weeks, prices advancing and then receding. Hie last quotation listed shows a reduction ol 94d per gallon. Kerosene. The first shipment of case kerosene to arrive since the termination of the Pacific strike came to hand by the Golden Cloud last week, and merchants were exceedingly pleased to again obtain supplies. Quotations for future lots are somewhat higher due to increased costs, as well as an increase in freight charges. Canary Seed. - Although considerable business has been done recently in Argentine canary seed, the full requirements of this market have not yet been covered. This market is hardening, and quotations show an upward tendency to.the extent of 12/6 per ton. Nutmegs and Mace. One seller of these lines cabled last week his inability to quote either line on account of there being no sellers on the market. This appears to be only temporary, and quotations are expected to be available again very shortly. Tapioca. The market for tapioca continues to show a firm tone, all grades increased toi the extent of 2/6 per ton on Penang seed and pearl, and 10/ per ton on small pearl sago. Sarawak sago flour is also quoted at an increase of 5/ per ton. Pepper. The market for pepper is firm again after experiencing a slight reaction, and prices now listed show an increase of %d per lb. Brazil Nuts. Quotations for Brazil nuts advanced 3/ per cwt early last week, and later in the week were withdrawn altogether. Principals advise that they are having very great difficulty in securing supplies this year at any figure. Salmon. I Quotations for Alaskan Sockeye Salmon have shown an increase of 6d per dozen, principals advising that there is every possibility of a further rise in this market very shortly. British Columbian Chum salmon has also shown an increase of 2A per case on l's and 3/ per case- on We. Apparently the very big advance in tin plate is affecting the price of all tinned goods. Almonds and Ground Almonds. London advice is • that supplies of almonds and ground almonds are practically exhausted, and that unless there is an early cessation of the trouble in Spain- there will be great difficulty in securing supplies for Christmas requirements. Californian Fruit Juices. Supplies of Californian fruit juices are now practically exhausted. Packers advise that further supplies' will not now be available until August-September shipments of new season's crop. ,

Australian Dried Fruits. Advice received from the Commonwealth Dried Fruit Board states that the total quantity available for export will not exceed 53,000 tons, the majority of which will be absorbed by Canada and Great Britain, 60 that New Zealand buyers will be well advised to order their requirements at the earliest possible date in order to secure adequate supplies. At the present time the board advises that a. general indication may be given that it is considered that the prices now announced may be regarded as minimum, though such statement is not to be taken as binding the board in any sense as regards later shipments. English Sardines. There is an acute shortage in some sizes of English sardines, packet's advising that these will n'ow be withdrawn altogether until new season's are available. Wholesale Current Prices. Butter.—Finest grade, booked, 1/2V£ per lb and 1/2 for prompt cash; first grade factory, booked, 1/2, and 1/IV4 for prompt cash; second grade factory, booked, 1/1%, and 1/1 for prompt cash; whey, 1/1, and 1/0% for promDt cash. Cheese. — Export (80's), B%d per lb; medium (40's), 8&d; first quality (20's), 'dd; loaf, 10% d. Honey.—Bulk white, 5%d per lb; light amber, sd. Bacon.—Ham, 1/2 per lb; rolled boneless ham, 1/4; cooked whole ham, 1/6; cooked rolled ham, 1/7; cooked pressed ham, 1/8; bacon sides, 1/0%; rolled sides, 1/2; rolled middles, 1/2; pressed shoulders, 1/2; lard, bulk, 8d; pats, 9d; dripping, sd. Linseed. — Crushed, 16/9 per 1001b; whdie, 16/6 v per cwt. Flour—Local: 2001b sacks, £14 10/ C per ton; 100's, £15 12/6; 50's, £15 17/6; 25's, £16 7/6; 12%'s, £17; 6%'s, £17 17/6. Malt.—Crushed, 11/3 per bushel; whole white, 11/; whole black, 12/6. Bluestone.—2o/9 per cwt.