GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 302, 21 December 1937, Page 4

GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

MORE LINES STEADY. BUT BARLEY CHEAPER. The chief feature on the local grain and produce markets since last report has been the arrival of the first of this season's Australian barley. This is selling at 5/3 to 5.5 per bushel for clipped and from 4/11 to 5 1 for undipped, practically 1/ cheaper than the former ruling price. At first the Government refused to grant imports for shipment later than December, but this restriction has evidently been removed, as orders have been given for shipment from Australia as far ahead as June. There is little doubt that the Government's action in this direction will be appreciated by local feeders as it seems likely that barley will be the cheapest prain available duriug the next few months. The position in regard to fowl wheat is quite easy at the moment. Stocks of Australian are plentiful and there is a good demand, with prices unchanged. Maize, already dear enough, has firmed up and merchants are now quoting from 6/3 to 6'5 per bushel. The advance is caused by the fact that South African maize, which has monopolised the market in recent months is now in short supply and growers in the Gisborne and Bay of Plenty districts are holding out for higher prices than usual. There is no change in the market for horse feed and the demand is quiet. The potato market is fairly steady and merchants are still quoting Pukekohe supplies at 7/ per bag through stores. Onions are w*nk. Dealers are anxious to quit the remaining stocks of Canadian before the local crop become available and some are cutting rvices to rcduce their holdings. Pollard and bran are unchanged. Following are latest quotations, the prices being based on rates for delivery ex city stores: — Pollard and Bran. —Merchants' prices: Pollard, local. £7 15/ per ton: Australian. £0 to £0 s': bran. £6 15'. Oats. —Feed: B Gartons. 4 8 to 4 0 per bushel: A Gartons. 5/: clipped Gartons. 5/6: clipped Duns, 5,9 to 6/; clipped Algerians. 5/!>. Barley Meal. —11 '6 per 1001b. CliafF. —G.b.0.5., £10 5/ per ton. Fowl Wheat. — Australian, 7 3 per bushel. M aize.—South African. 6'3 to 6'5 per bushel. Barley.—Feed: Clipped. 5'3 to 5. 5 per bushel: undipped. 4 11 to 5 1. Wheatmeal.—l2/6 per 1001b. Potatoes. —Pukekohe, 14/ per cwt on rail Pukekohe; 7/ per sugar bag through store. Onions. —Canadian. 13/ to 14' per 1001b bag.