HIGH PRICES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 53, 4 March 1939, Page 7

HIGH PRICES.

NEW ZEALAND ONIONS.

DEMAND IX AUSTRALIA.

It s an ill-wind that blows nobody any good. The recent heat wave in Australia has caused an acute shortage of onions, and to meet the abnormal demand the largest shipment of onions ever to be sent from New Zealand left to-day by the Wanganella.

The shipment comprises about 10,000 cental bags, weighing over 450 tons. Owing to abnormal weather conditions, the Australian crop is less than half the usual, and whereas usually Victoria can meet the Commonwealth demand, this j'ear it cannot. Last year supplies of this vegetable were brought into NewZealand from Australia. After this consignment, supplies to be shipped will be smaller, as the bulk of the crops have been harvested here and supplies will be kept for the Auckland market.

Shipments will continue to be sent from the Christeliurch district, where crops are just beginning to be harvested. .Because of this abnormal situation, Canterbury growers are assured of a rich return front this season's crop. On the basis of a wholesale price of £15 a ton, growers obtain a return of about £225 to the acre, based on the average yield of 15 tons. Although they are delighted about the prices they are receiving for their onions many growers feel that the retail price is exorbitant. On the basis of 4d petlb it means a return of over £37 a ton. As there is no waste, growers contend that the margin between wholesale and retail prices is far too wide.