MARKETS AT A GLANCE

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 138, 14 June 1938, Page 4

MARKETS AT A GLANCE

GOOD BUSINESS CONTINUES. DRIED APRICOTS IN DEMAND. FURTHER WALNUT MEAT SUPPLIES "Auckland Star" Office, Tuesday, June 14. Although merchants experienced i'airlv busy conditions last week traclu was not quite so heavy a*> is' usual fur the early part o! t-ljc month, the holidav apparently causing some disorganisation in deliveries, and also resulting in travellers being a day late practically the whole of the week. Yesterday merchants opened to bright business again, and there is eveiy appearance of those conditions ruling throughout the rest of the week. General News. An unusually heavy consignment of Tasmanian mutton birds has come to hand recently. In the main m-eichants booked their business for spread delivery, but orders were sent much earlier than instructed, with the result that an extra large parcel ha* been received. It is expected, however, that in view of late quotations for mutton birds from this quarter showing increases of from 3/ to 7 (5 per hundred on opening prices, this firming in the market being due to a smaller catch than was originally expected, tint later oil supplies will become rather scarce. A very popular line of packet dates have just come to hand, and as this will be the last consignment to arrive this year it is expected that fairly representative sales will be made against this arrival. Recently arriving to a bare market, merchants have received a complete range of various grades of walnut meat. Buying this year has been rather conservative, and it is not expected that present supplier will l>e sufficient to cater for the balance of the season's requirements. Excellent sales are being reported on most lines of dried fruits, particularly prunes and apricots, these two latter lines meeting with popular favour just at present. A line of Pecan nuts is again offered on t'his market for arrival approximately June-.luly, and is meeting with a lair amount of interest. Supplies are being offered both in shell and kernels. .Merchants are now out with forward prices of Sicily and Jordan almonds, but quotations are very high when compared with those ruling prior to the trouble in the Mediterranean. A well-known line of baking powder is now being offered to the trade under a bonus of one tin free with every dozen of either large or small tins. A line of cough drops is also Wing marketed with an introductory bonus of one dozen penny packets free with each dozen sold. Further supplies of a line of English kippered herrings previously in short supply are again offered. Dried apples both in bulk and lib packets have been very short in some quarters during the last few weeks, and a shipment which has just come to hand is very welcome. The change in weather conditions during the last few days has brought with it a ! rush demand for all types of cow and horse covers, and this is expected to keep | tip for the next two or three weeks. The season this year is late in commencing, and retailers should watch their stock petition carefully as the demand is sure to be heavy. A well-known brand of pork and beans due to arrive last week was over-carried, with the result that stocks will he short until they are brought back next week. Arrivals from overseas and coastal ports during the past week comprise consignments of evaporated apples in bulk and packets, breakfast cereals, arrowroot in packets, nitrate of soda, packet starch, cake powder, baking powder, tobacco, cigarettes, oatmeal, rolled oats, packet suet, proprietary brand tea, u medicinal emulsion, brooms, laundry soap, pearl barley, table salt, tins iodized salt, gravy browning. English safeties in various brands, tooth powder, infants' foods, extract of herbs, pipe cleaners, pineapples l%s and 2's tins cubes, sliced and crushed, seed and pearl tapioca, salmon 3 .2~s and I's tins. Chinese peanuts in shell, walnut halves, greaseproof paper, etc. South African Apricots. Quotations from London for South African dried apricots show a considerable weakening against opening prices, and as in previous years it appears that buyers will he able to cover their requirements from London consignment stocks at most attractive levels, when the consumption here is heaviest during the latter months of the winter. Hawaiian Pineapple. According to latest cables to hand a sulxstantial reduction has taken place in tile current quotations for this quality Pack. It is a well-known fact that the finest pineapple in the world comes from Hawaii, and the reason why it has not previously been particularly popular in New Zealand is that the landed cost was too high on account of the heavy duty. However, on to-day's attractive rates this pineapple is now landing at very reasonable figures, and there should be a very considerable increase in importations while the present low quotations rule. Dried Fruits. Notwithstanding the fact that prices for most grades of Californian dried fruits have been reduced, there is little interest being shown by local buyers generally. Merchants are carrying fairly heavy stocks of Australian mildura sultanas and currants, and consequently are not interested at present in ordering Californian raisins in any quantity. Furthermore, although present rates of these are loner than I prices ruling a few months ;v_ro. it is anticii pated that the market will still recede before the first of tiip new season's fruit is ready for shipment from San Francisco in September-October. Sicily Filberts. Quotations for Sicily filberts have advanced 1/6 per bag according to latest cable advice received. Shippers advise, however, that there is a possibility of a weakening in this market in the near future and intending buyers are therefore inclined to hold their business meantime. Soft Shell Almonds. Soft shell almonds are now being quoted from California for the first time for some years. Prices for this line, however, arc so high that it is not anticipated that importations will be very heavy. Dates. Although one or two agents are still able to maintain their opening prices for new season s dates for shipment by the October direct steamer from Basra, via Australia, others have received advice from their principals to advance all prices ; by 6d per cwt, with the information that [prices are quite likely to advance further. Stocks of present season's dates are now ! becoming thort in London, and although there is no reason given for the higher rates now being asked for the new crop fruit, it is possible that v the crop may have been damaged by sand storms, further news on the market is now awaited. Lima Beans. Agents are ajready quoting new season's Madagascar Lima beans for NovemberDecember shipment, prices being 6d per cwt below last season's rates. The crop in Madagascar was a small one last year, and was completely cleared up.. There had been a considerable carryover in Lor. lon during the previous year, but the latest information from there is that there has been an increasing demand for supplies during the p.:st two months, and stocks are decreasing rapid',v. Loeallv these beans are selling very freclv. and it is anticipated that all stocks wi\\ be cleared before the arrival of the first shipments of the new crop supplies from Madagascar. Olive Oil. Latest cables from French shippers advise a reduction of 3d per gallon in prices for French olive oil in extra vierge quality. Present rates appear to be most favourable and considerable business is expected ta Se placed week.

Sicily Almonds. Prices for new season's supplies of Sicily almonds are slightly easier this week, but at the moment there is not a great deal of business being booked. Most buyers covered for a portion of their requirements some weeks ago, and are waiting for the market to settle before placing the balance of their orders. At this stage it Ls difficult to forecast the future of the market. The crop was reported to have suffered a certain amount of damage front excessive rain, and this knouled+te may keep prices fairly steady. The position of the Spanish almond crop is still so uncertain that it is unlikely that there will be supplies'available from there before Christmas, and even if small quantities are offering, the Spanish authorities will demand very high prices for these. London shipper* of Sicily almonds arc therefore not prepared to take any liiks with the almond market generally, and from information so far to hand it would appear that no great fluctuations are likely to be in evidence during the next three months. Wholesale Current Prices. Butter. —Finest grade, 1/2% per lb; first grade factory, 1/2% per lb; second grade factory, 1/1% per lb; whey, 1/1% per lb. Cheese. —Export (80's) crate lots, B%d per lb net, less 9d per lb; medium (40's) crate lots, 9d per lb, less 9%d per lb net; (20's) crate lota, 9%d per lb net. less 9%d per lb net; loaf crate lots, lOd per lb net. less 10Y*A per lb net. Bacon.—Ham, 1/2% per lb; rolled boneless ham, 1/5; cooked whole ham, 1/6: cooked rolled ham, 2/; cooked pressed ham. 1/10; bacon sides. 1/1; rolled middles, 1/4%. Lard, bulk 8d p<'r lb; pats, 9(1. Dripping, pats, 4%d per lb. Honey.—First grade: lib cartons, 10/6 per dozen; 21b tinß, 20/6; 51b tins, 51/. Second grade: lib cartons, 9/3; 21b tins, 18/; 51b tins. 43/6. Third grade: lib cartons, 8/; 21b tins, 15/8; 51b tins, 38/9. Flour.—Local: 2001b sacks, £14 15/0 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.