MARKETS AT A GLANCE

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 98, 27 April 1937, Page 4

MARKETS AT A GLANCE

BRIGHTER BUSINESS. OATMEAL AND ROLLED OATS ADVANCE. SUGAR REDUCED. "Auckland Star" Office, Tuesday, April 27. Wholesale grocery merchants experi'enced rather quiet conditions during the beginning of last week, but towards the end of the week trade showed signs of brightening up considerably, and when merchants opened up for business yesterday trade showed a furtlier improvement. This increase in distribution is no doubt due very largely to the fact that merchants hav<j now commenced their May deliveries. General News. j The first of May deliveries of tobacco and cigarettes for both town and country districts will commence on Friday next, 30th instant, which will make all distributors handling this class of business ex-trem-cly busy until the accumulation now coming to hand has been disposed of. During the past few weeks it has been reported that the cornflour market is very firm, and that the future position of supplies is likely to be acute owing to shortages of raw material in a number ot quarters. There is also a heavy call from certain countries for maize products due to other world shortages, which is also affecting the position. The tinning market position as far as local offerings are concerned has been accentuated by an increase of 6/ per cvvt on all cheap grades of packet cornflour, and 8/ per cwt on the better grades. Du<> to increased costs of raw material, merchants' quotations for oatmeal and rolled oats have been increased by £0 per ton during the. last few day*. Owing to the impossibility ot" securing furtlier supplies of greaseproof paper from the mills until v-ery late in the year, there has been a very heavy demand for any local stock available. Any small supplies that have arrived lately have been much sought after, and as a result of the finnik'ss of overseas markets any supplies etill available are selling at advanced rates.

Supplies of Californian poeied peaches, which proved so popular when available last year, are again being offered throughout tlio trade, and a large demand is already experienced. Merchant* have now received partial indents of 1-Crown sultanas, and further email supplies arc expected during the week. Some uncertainty exists, however, as to the prospects of merchants receiving their full supplier! originally ordered, as packers are advising that they are rinding it extremely difficult to cover the bueincse; already on hand. Due. to the cold snap that has been experienced during the past few days, merchants have already noticed a heavier call on many lines that sell well during the winter months, such as oatmeal, rolled oats, soups, etc. The question o.f immediate supplies of cheese k getting rather difik-itlt, -mci in some quarters merchants are already advising difficulties in the way of obtaining further stocks. Due to the acute position and to dearth of supplier!, a number of factories are closing down much earlier this year. Advices have already been received that some intend to cli-jy down at the end of thie month. One large southern factory advises that the shortage as far as they are concerned is mainly due to the increased demand for milk for schools, etc.. and that with the incrensed overhead cost for labour in the factories it in impossible to work when only a small simply is available.

Supplies of Tasmanian black currant and raspberry pulp have just arrived: only limited supplies are available, anil packers now announce that this season's supply of raspberry pulp has been sold "1 , -. Further supplies of a lino of English filter-tip cigarettes which has been in pliort supply arrived yesterday. The market position of Australian driod fruits is particularly firm, and retailors would bo well' advised to watch the positiou very closely.

Arrivals from overseas and poa«tnl ports during the week comprise shipments of tinned prune*, chewing gum. fine salt in hulk and s's baps, coarse salt, eucalyptus. ."-Crown poachee. 1-Crown sultanas, peeled peaches, %'« and l's pilchards, malt extract, medicinal emulsion, wax matches. laundry soap, protirietary brand breakfast foods, oatineil. rolled oats, powdered alum. tobacco./ sultanas in rnrtopi. seedier raisins in cartons. nrrowioi't. tumatj snuce. raspberry and bli-k rlll'l'ont "I'lp, diviccatrd coconut, bulk <'m!oh t.-i. Chm-i ten. bulk prunes, in IS-21-, -20-30. 30-40. 10-30, etc.

Sugar. All grades of refilled sti;.W were -rduei'd 10' per ton vpsfrdiv. Treacle .ml rtoldrn c.vnm .■Uγ. also li.sl■ <] ni a similar reduction. Prior to this alu-ratinii migar Iliad been listed on a finning nrirkef. t!ir total increase niiice the lwriuning of the year bring £2 per ton. The new rate« which eamo into force yesterday arc: I?rewcr«' crystals. £28 per ton; cistor. £•?» ]S/ per ton; Xo. 1. £27 .">'; Xo. la. £20 10'; Xo. 1. £20; invest sugar, £21 10,'; Xo. 3. £2.1. Packet Oat Food. Packet oat food manufacturers have bad to aniiouuc ; an advance of approximately 10 per cent in the price of packet line.*. These were not advanced when the rise in oatmeal and rolled oat? took place la-it year, and present-day [lacking costs added to High values fur the grain make the revised prices unavoidable. Burma Rice. A mail report to hand in connection with the Burma rice market, dated early last month, states that considerable activity Viae been witnessed during the period under review, with the result that an all-round advance in prices has taken place. European shippers have been especially prominent, and have taken laivje quantities of Loonzain at advancing rates. A steady, although comparatively small, business has been put through by Hongkong shippers on the official news that the Cantonese Government have entirely abolished the duty on imports of foreign rice from April 1 to September 30 this year. Better reports from both Bombay and Calcutta have been received, aijd this, no doubt, is mainly due to the strength of wheat. Boiled rice, however, has been neglected. A very large volume of business has been put through within speculative circles. It is inter<?sting to record, however, that the difference between near-at-hand and forward has been unusually wide, thereby indicating lack of interest in actual rice. Paddy is firmer than ever, and prices are now well over tho parity of rice. The total quantity of rice and rice products exported up to date amounts to 5,»2.948 tons, leaving a balance of 2.047.052 tons available.

Tapioca. Quotations for tanioca remain fairly steady, with the market unchanged during the laet two weeks, yery little interest is being taken in agents' offers just at present. Pineapples. Singapore pineapples arc a ehade easier in cables last received, most lines being reduced about */id per dozen. Prices are considered very attractive, particularly on first grade, and as tii-e next direct steamer will arrive in time for the commencement of the eprins; and summer season increased interest will be taken in quotations from now on. Salmon. A well-known English firm have just made their first deliveries of salmon on this market. This has been well received by the trade, particularly in view of the forward position of salmon being exceptionally firm. Ground Almonds. These are now being covered for Christmas requirements. Ruling values are still at such a high level that it is not anticipated there will be the usual quantities imported.

Asparagus. In connection with supplies of asparagus, a, cable has just been received from one of the largest shippers strongly advising interested parties to purchase ex any immediate offer* as supplies of new season's so far are not available owing to strikes. Trices are also expected to advance considerably. Resin. The American market for resin is a shade tinner, prices in last cables received .showing an increase of 2/ per ton on "G and -2/i per ton on "S" grade. A fair amount of business has been put through, particularly for the latter Turpentine. The American market for pine tree turpentine lias been tiui-tuating during recent weeks, the last quotations received Iby cable showing an increase of '/id per gallon. Quotations are fairly attractive, but little business is passing* at the moment. Kerosene. I Lighting kerosene is selling very freely iju.-t at pie.-.'lit. It is becoming a little I difficult to obtain early shipment of supplies on account of one shipping service licinjs withdrawn. The Limerick, which is to leave Los Angeles at the end of the month, is a lull ship already, with the result that shippers have had to refuse a considerable amount of cargo that has been offering; the earliest shipment that can now be given is June. Apricots. First (Icliivcvice have now been made of C'alifornian apricots, and they compare most favourably with Australian deliveries. Keen interest is being taken in the C'alifornian position by all buyers, and in view of the attractive quotations offering, good business has been passing. Pilchards. Advices to hand i.'i connection with pilchards are that present otters seem very advantageous in comparison with quotations for. new season's. There is only a limited quantity available, and orders are only being accepted subject to stocks still being available. Dates. Dates for prompt shipment from London have finned a further Oil per cwt, but as they are particularly short on spot, buyers have been forced oh to the London market. Caiifornian Prunes. Recent advices to hand indicate a fall of approximately 2/ per cwt, due to the shipping hold-up. There are evidently large parcels of old season's .still available. American Pineapple Juice. This line is rapidly winning popularity in New Zealand, and manufacturers cable that overseas markets are now operating freely lor new season's supplies, which should be available in July. Prices are not yet named, but it is anticipated that they will be a little dearer than last year. Sicily Almonds. Xcw crop Sicily almonds show a further drop of 2/ per cwt. Values however, still far too high for buyers to operate. Ginger in Brine. This has been tinning over recent mouths, and freight rates from the East indicate considerably higher landed costs, which will probably be reflected in local manufacturers' quotations in the near future. Wholesale Current Prices. Butter.—Finest grade, booked 1/2W per lb, and 1/2 per lb for prompt cash; first grade factory, booked 1/2, and J/1 Vi for prompt uatih; second grade factory, booked 1/IVi, and 1/1 for prompt cash; whey, 1. 1 and 1 ll'b per Hi tor prompt cash. Ch<?e«e.—Kxport (80V), 814 J per lb; medium (40V), BV4d; first quality (20' si, Od; loaf, 10' id. Honey.—Bulk, white, CVid per lb; light amber, lid. Bacon.—Ham, 1/1 per lb; rolled boneless ham, 13; cooked whole ham, 16: cooked rolled ham. 1,10; cooked pressed ham, 1/0; bacon sides, lO'/sd; rolled frides, 1/1%; rolled middles, 1,3; pressed shoulders. 1/2'.4; lard, bulk Bd, patsOd; dripping. -5d per ]b. Li' =eed.—Crushed, 16/9 per 1001b; whole, li> 0 per cwt. Flour.—Local, 2001b eacke, £14 15/6 per ton; IOOYs. £13 12 6; 50's, £13 17 6: 23's, £]() 7 0; 12Vs, £17; 6Vs, £17 17/6. ! Malt.—Cruehed, 12/3 per bushel; whole I white, 12/; whole black, 13/6. Bluestone.—J2/6 per cwt.