MARKETS AT A GL4NCE

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 158, 6 July 1937, Page 4

MARKETS AT A GL4NCE

BUSINESS QUIET.

LEAD MARKET EASIER. PRICES SMYRNA SULTANAS HIGH. "Auckland Star" Office, Tuesday, July 6. Wholesale merchants opened up yesterday to rather quiet trading. Trade in general over the past four or five days has l>een much easier t'han was originally anticipated, and this in no doubt due in a great measure to the very inclement weather which hae been experienced in the northern districts, where trade lias been particularly quiet, the heavy floodin? having a very detrimental effect on business generally. General News. La«t week a number of wholesale and retail merchants took their eix-monthly ■stock on the Wednesday, with the result that these firms are now replenishing certain stocks, which had been allowed to become fairly low. Shipping, which was very busy at the beginning of last week, quietened down towards the week-end, but ie again improving with the further influx of overeeae vessels now arriving. A fair amount of bueiness was placed on Pilchards some time ago for the present season's delivery, subject to pack. Merchants are now advised that any orders placed on thie baeie will not be delivered, there being no further supplies procurable this season. This will have the effect of creating a heavy shortage in this line until new season's are available somewhere about September next. In Californian dried fruits prunes are showing an easing tendency, while other lines at the moment are firm. Report* to hand indicate that sales in America have not been up to anticipation, and thie should shortly have the effect of easing the market, notwithstanding previous indications that stocks are ]ower at present than in previous years. This does not apply to canned fruit, which is still heavily in demand. Of interest to the trade is the advice that merchants are now advising the trade that they are booking for Auguet account on Tuesday, July 20, for all towns served by shipping, rail or transport wagons, and in the town area deliveries will be effected on the following Monday, July 26. '

The'heavy advances in stationery paper is being reflected in local manufacturers' quotations for all types of envelopes. writing tablets, exercise books, etc., and substantial advances have been advised for many lines. One of the local manufacturers of baking powder advise that their 12oz tin packing ie being withdrawn, and all future supplies will l>e packed in 14oz tins at a proportionate increase in price. The manufacturers of corn brooms advised that on account of the favourable cost of bristle- they have been able to reduce their prices. These reductions became operative from the let of the month. Some merchants are quoting candied peel for spread delivery until the end of this year. The prices are very favourable, and retailers would be well advised to cover their full requirements, ae every indication x>ointe to higher vaiuee before the end of the season. A new brand of penny cigarette papers with the popular streamline cut is being offered to the trade for delivery on the 16th of this month. Arrivals from overseas and coastal porta during the past week comprise the following items: Cohoe salmon, English safeties in various brands, mushroom and chioken soup, baked beans in various packings, spaghetti, packets of cornflour, English bottled rennet, caustic soda in l'e and 2V. English tobacco in various packings, English meat extract, English packet soups, bottled curry powder, anchovy sauce, English eesencp of vanilla, fwh pa.<rtes. calves' foot jelly. Englieh Worcester sauce, English herrings in sauce in %'« and l'e, sheepe' tongues, dried fruits, bulk Ceylon tea. bulk China tea. 2-Crown ■sultanas. seed taw raisins, canned fruit, dried apricots, sliced peaches, pears, etc.

Lead. The market for lead after a number of reductions in price is now showing considerable firmness, having registered two sharp advances one after tho other, makipd a total increase of £2 10/ per ton. At the Infest quotation the market is particularly firm. Greek Sultanas. New season's prices for 3-Crown Smyrna sultanas have been announced. Prices show an advance of approximately 90 per cent on laet years figures. Paper. Owing to production costs showing a further marked advance, New Zealand paper manufacturers have been forced to increase their prices as follows: Kraft and Sandow flat. 501b weight and upwards, £3 per ton: Kraft. 461b, £4 per ton; Kraft cap. No. 1 and 2, 3d per ream; sulphite tii«uo. 20 x 30. B]b and 101b, £2 ]5/ per ton: unbleached and bleached cap, 20 x 30. 81b. £1 10/ per ton: rope brown and browr wrapping, 10/ per ton: Manila casine. £1 10/ per ton; No. 1 and 2 quality, £1 per ton. Coconut. The coconut market is still at an exceedingly low level, and a fair amount of business is passing. Figs. New season's figs are quoted at an advance of approximately 20 per cent on last year's rates, but buyers are holding off in anticipation of lower quotations, as there is usually a decline some weeks after pricee are first named. Almonds. The market on new season's Sicilv almonds hae advanced 10/ per cwt for September-October shipment. Ground almonds on the other hand have shown a decline of 2/ per cwt. With conditions as they are at present the position with regard to nuts of all descriptions for the Christmas trade appeare to be decidedlv uncertain—market fluctuations this year have been much more severe than usual, many lines being quite unprocurable.

Pineapple and Pineapple Juice. Although new season's quotations have been declared for Hawaiian pineapple and pineapple juice in the past month, principals advise that the American demand has been so heavy that stocks are now completely exhausted until next year. Sorrento Walnuts. Quotations on Xo. 1 Naples Sorrento walnuts have shown a decline of 2/6 per cwt in late cables received. The principal interest, however, centred around Calitornian at elightly dearer rates because of the American consistency in grading. Canadian Salmon. Columbia River New Pack.—Mail advices dated May 8 state that the season opened on April 26—five days in advance of the normal opening date for recent years Fish were plentiful and of top quality from the opening through to the morning of Saturday. May 1. Since the morning of Jlay 1 fishing has been extremely fight throughout the river. Many believe that the bulk of the pack for the month of May has been canned and that the run will not run until June. It will be eome time before the packing of choice, standard pink and chum grades will develop. These Columbia River grades have been eold out for months past. Countless orders have been unfilled. It is recommended that the trade be contacted at once on choice, standard pink and chum grade chinooks. ami that buyers definitely cover. It is too early to determine what prices are even likely to apply on these stocks. Failure to cover now will merely recult in disappointment later on.

Alaskan Salmon. Labour troubles have continued right up to the present time. Jurisdictional fights between unions blocked recent sailings to Alaska. This trouble seemed to be the most serious encountered to date. It was finally cleared for the time being and on May 6 the first vessels were released for departure to Alaska. These steamers have taken canning crews to early district, which means that they will be about a week late in getting under nay at Cordova on Cop.per River, chii.o'ks and Copper River sockeyes. These world's finest qualities are in heavier demand than ever before and figure to be snapped instantly by the trade. Most labour troubles, which have increasingly beset the industry since the close of last season, have been overcome either through outright acquiescence on the part of packers or more or less satisfactory compromise. Die industry in some section or another is almost daily confronted by new and complete unexpected demands'from labour, and at this late period before the opening of the season the packer, while fighting with his back to the wall, is generally compelled to yield with costly concessions. Muscatels. An Australian packer of muscatels advises that they are now completely sold up. and it will not be possible to secure further supplies for the Christmas trade However, ae Californian are offering at attractive rates more interest will probably centre around these for the Christmas purchases. Wholesale Current Prices. Butter.—Finest grade, booked 1/2V4 per lb, and 1/2 per lb for prompt cash; first grade factory, booked 1/2, and 1/IV6 for prompt cash; second grade factory, booked 1/1 A, and 1/1 for prompt caeh; whey, VI, and 1/0% per lb for prompt cash. Cheese.—Export (80's), 8d per lb: medium (40's), B%d per lb; first) quality (20'e), 9d per lb; loaf, 10d per lb. Bacon.—Ham, 1/1 per lb; rolled boneless ham, 1/3; cooked whole ham, 1/6; cooked rolled ham, 1/10; cooked pressed wm/j /9; ,V acon side8 > llV * d: rolle <l e'd-s, VF/id; rolled middles, l/2fcd; lard, Hulk, 8d per lb; pats, 9d; dripping, pats, 5d per Linseed.—Crushed, 16/9 per 1001b: whole, 16/6 per cwt. Flour.—Local. 2001b eacke, £14 15/6 per ton: lOO'e, £15 12/6; 50's, £15 17/6; 25'e, £16 7/6; 12V4's, £17; 6%'e, £17 17/6 Malt.—Crushed. 11/3 per bushel; whole white, 11/; whole black, 12/6. Blueetone.—43/6 per cwt.