MARKETS AT A GLANCE

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 180, 2 August 1938, Page 6

MARKETS AT A GLANCE

BUSINESS SLACKENS. DRIED FRUIT DELIVERIES EXTENDED. SICILY ALMOXDS ADVANCE FURTHER. " * 1 "Auckland Star" Office, Tuesday, August 2. Merchants report that business opened up rather quietly yesterday. There seems to have been a bit of a lull in the distributing trade, the unfavourable weather apparently causing a slight slackening in retail sales, which was reflected in wholesale trade also. General News. The Swardenhondt arrived in Auckland a lew days ago bringing fairly substantial stocks ot sago and tapioca, which were badly wanted. The winter demand for these two commodities liae been rather heavy; and prior to this arrival stocks were exceedingly light. ' T X.-

A popular line of sixteenths sardines previously in short supply, have now been augmented by further arrivals during the past week, and stocks now in hand should be to meet retail requirements for some tMtie to come.

A further parcel of Brazil nut kernels have just come to hand, and although the peak demand for these nuts is usually about Christmas time, sales this year so tar have been very well maintained. Java Mtmnut kernels, previously in short supply, are again to hand, with prices quite favourable.

Although prices this year have advanced 1/ per dozen, keen interest is being taken m manufacturers' offers of egg preserver, as the season for this line is fast approaching. A reduction of approximately 10 per cent is being quoted in a well-known line ot hnglish fruit salts this week

Pilchards in lib tins are being quoted with only limited supplies available, with the result that any stocks offered are being quickly snapped up. A line of English liver salts is being further popularised by the offer as a bonus of one free in both small and large sizes until September 30. A well-known line of herrings in sauce, as well as kippered herrings, are again in stock after being temporarily off the market. With a particularly favoured line of medicinal salts, the manufacturers are encloeiug with each bottle a email envelope ot digestive pastilles, which should react favourably with the retail trade. Tinned mussels are again being quoted with prices on the same basis as last season. Further consignments of a popular brand of Canadian pork and beans, soups, peaa, fruits, etc., are.. again to hand to meet the ever-increasing demand for these lines.

With the extended bookings for Mildura fruits now advised, the retail trade will probably cover their requirements on 2 and 3-crown sultanas as much as possible, as owing to the smaller quota of 2-crown now available, it looks very much as if this line will be shortly withdrawn, as one-crowa were withdrawn some time ago. At the beginning of last week all merchants were advised of an increase in the price of refined sugar, which applied t> golden syrup and treacle also. Revised lists have now been circularised throughout the trade.

Stocks of a well-known brand of wax vestas have now come to hand in the plain packing. The price is very favourable and they should, meet with a good reception from the trade.

A well-known brand of cigarette tobacco has now been introduced in a new packing in loz tins, to retail at lid each. The new shape of the tin is an attractive feature which will undoubtedly appeal to consumers.

The position in regard to onions is still very acute, with further supplies of Australian not expected for about ten days.

Arrivals to hand from overseas and coastal ports during the past week comprise consignments Of tjtoe fo^pwirig'lihes:— '■' Medicinal salts, poultry "spii'e, wringers, Norwegian sardines in various brands, Barilla soup, caustic soda, bulk fine salt, tobacco, pink salmon, Wβ and l's, tinned pineapple, beans, soup, . peas, tinned apricots, tinned pears, canary seed, safety matches, Haricot beans, peanut kernels, sago and tapioca, dried apricots, rolled oats, 4's, 20's, 50's and lQQ's; oatmeal, s's, 25's and 100's; jelly powder, cake powder, custard powder, baking powder, cough remedies, proprietary brands of tea, gelatine, fruit salts, ''aluminium paint, pilla, matches, lambs' tongues, English herrings in tomato sauce, kippered herrings, electric lamps, etc., etc.

Vine Fruits. The Australian Dried Fruit Control Board have cabled extending shipment of alj vine fruits to August-September, with prices remaining unchanged. This offer includes currants in 1, 2 and 3-crown grades, eultunas in 2, 3, 4 and 5-crown grades. Due to the shortage of 2-crown sultanas the board request business on the basis of 25 per cent 2-crown and 75 per cent 3-crown. Lexias in all grades, including cartons, are still available at unchanged rates. Sicily Almonds. Sicily almonds have advanced a further 6/ per cwt this week. This advance also covers 281b boxes. It is anticipated there will be a further alteration next week, when definite prices are received from Sicily, the business up to the present being purely speculative. Mincemeat. ' Interest ie '"now being taken in new season's jar mincemeat, and attractive offers are being received for various brands. Canadian, in particular, is being offered at very attractive levels, and merchant* have ample opportunity to coyer before the retail require supplies for the festive season. Canned Grape Fruit. Florida grapefruit ~is being quoted at the present time at particularly attractive levels, and- is a, line that is rapidly growing in popularity in this country. ... ; Java Kernels. Latent cabled quotations to hand on Java peanut kernels show that thie market is now showing a slight reduction for new season's crop by the next AugustSeptember steamer. Resin. The market for resin now shows an easing tendency, with prices on, G and N reduced 'to 3/6 per ton and 1/6 per ton respectively. Turpentine. Quotations for Pine Tree turpentine continue to rule at a very low level, with no apparent life in the market 'whatever. Last week cable advices received listed the., market %d per gallon lower. ;■ ,; Walnut Meats.

T.he landing of a further shipment of Manehurian walnut meats last week brought to a' close one of the most difficult seasons experienced in thk trade for a long time. The 1937 crop, was really quite a./good one,; out the cfiief /difficulty has been in getting supplies from the interior tai iientein^the port of shipment from China —and to know what portion of the crop there had been shelled. Due to war conditions, certain supplies were l;noWn. to have taken over three months from the time they were first dispatched Sroni' Honan a nd Shanei districts until '■lie' arrival at the port of Tientein. In a 'otter just to hand from one of the largest •bippera of walnut meat from Tientsin, "•hey 'state that at the time o f writing. Tune 21. there was not a single case of there. Aβ a re='.il f of the ■Giife mpnetarv situation in Tientfiin. r>f -nfl" srnnfie arlvßTieefl th n ir r.'-iees •O'+ibe equivalent of or?vious rates mlinir, •2 al,l round bn"li»si« was n very nncertajn stnte. Any si<rn of >«■> woiild, no doi'Vit pier Hip no=!tion. ■'* the fn f nrp of tlip market. «o far as

">ii>T>erl in O?t°nT-\ are pon- ! ipned. in tnoet obsniirp at preappt nnd eliable information will be appreciated by the trade generally when thi* becomes

available about the end of September. Stocks Jield locally are not heavy and it would, appear that thie market will be completely sold out before the first shipments of the new crop meats can arrive. Pineapples. Cable advices in connection with quotations for Singapore pineapples indicate a little firmer tone, with quotations on a number of lines ehowing fractional advances. The local market, mainly on account of the colder weather now being experienced, is a little quieter and very little interest is being shown. Tapioca. Quotations for tapioca remain fairly steady, with 2,6 per ton reduction noted on Penang medium pearl. Very little business is passing at the moment as most of merchants' immediate requirements have been covered for shipment by the direct steamer leaving about August 10. Nutmegs and Mace. . Nutmegs have shown a distinct firmness during the past week, all grades (110's, sound shrivelled and broken) showing advances of approximately %d per pound. Mace is also firmer to the extent of about %d per pound. Wholesale Current Prices. (August 2, 1938.)

Bujtter.—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,- 9%d per lb net; less, 9%d per lb;-medium (40's) crate lots, 9Vid per lb; lew 9ttd per lb; (20's) crate lots, 10d per pound; less, 10*4 per lb net; loaf crate lote, 10% d per lb net; less, lid per pound net. Bacon.—Ham, 1/2% per lb; rolled boneless ham, 1/5 per lb; cooked whole ham, 1/6 per lb; cooked rolled ham, 2/ per lb; cooked pressed luiui, 1/10; bacon sides. 1/1 per lb; rolled middles, 1/4% per lb; lard, bulk. 8d per lb: pate, 9d per lb; dripping, pats. 4%d per lb. Hone'x. —Firnt grade: lib cartons, 10/6 per dozen; 21b tins, 20/6 per dozen; 51b tine, 51/ per dozen. Second grade: lib cartons, 9/3 per dozen; 21b tins, 18/ per dozen; 51b tins. 43/6 per dozen. Third Rrade: lib cartons, 8/ per dozen; 21b tins, 15/6 per dozen; 51b tins. 38/9 per dozen. Flour.—Local: 2001b sacks. £14 15/6 per ton: 100's, £15 12/6 per ton; 50'e £15 17/6 per ton; 25's. £16 7/6 per ton; 12%'s, £17 per ton: 6%'s, £17 17/6 per ton. Malt.—Crushed. 11/3 per bushel: whole white, 11/ per bushel; whole black, 12/6 per bushel.