AT THE MARTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 182, 4 August 1939, Page 4

AT THE MARTS.

DEAR VEGETABLES.

SHORT SUPPLY OF GREENS.

APPLES LN GOOD DEMAND. There was a good demand at the City Markets to-day for well-coloured dessert annleo and a fair demand for cooking varieties. Owing to cold weather the inquiry for Cole pears weakened. There Wits ii fair sale for tree tomatoes, and average values of hothouse tomatoes have improved slightly. Good quality New Zealand grapefruit had a fair market, but small fruit were not much in demand. There was a fairly good sale for Australian pineapples. No grapes were ottered at to-day's sales, but a small supply is due to arrive next week. Good quality passion fruit sold well, but there was 110 demand for poor quality. Prices ranged as follows:--

Apples: Golden Delicious. 13/ to 14/ per case: Delicious, 7/ to 11 ; Ballarat, 7 0 to (I/: Dougherty, 6/6 to 8/; Granny Smith. !>/ to 100; Monro, 6/ to 7/6: Home Beauty. 10 0 to 12 6; Statesman. 9/; .Stunner. 9 0 to 10/6; Winesap. 0/ to 12/0. Pears: Kciffers. 7/ to 8/: P. Barry, 8 0 to 3/: Winter Coles. 10/ to 110; Winter Nells, 8/ to 0/. Tomatoes: Hothouse. 1 2 to 1 7 per lb; tree tomatoes, new black. S/ to 9 per case; vellow, 6 0 to 8/: others. No. 2, 5 to 5/0. Oranges. Australian, repacks. 18/ to 19, 6; grapefruit. New Zealand, extra choice. 8/6 tn 9/: others. 5/ to 7 15: bananas, No. 1. 20' to 25': medium. 18/0 to 20/: \n. 2. 14/ to 15'; pines. Queensland. 10 0 to 21/; grapes. Coleman, extra choice. 5/ per 11.: passion frrtit, up to 14/ per quarter case, second quality, 4/ to 8/ per case. Vegetables. Supplies of cabbage and cauliflowers were not as heavy as last week, and prices wet,, much higher, but carrots and p.ll snips . were ottered in good quantities, to sell at recent rates. Supplies of swede turnips were very heavy, with price* ii little lower. Southern and Ohakune potatoes came forward in good quantities, realising high values, while small consignments ot new potatoes brought good prices. Heavy supplies of onions sold at lecent rates. Lettuce was in short supply, the quality being poor and price* high. Pumpkins were offered in good quantities, quality lines selling at high rates, and celei.v was in plentiful supply with prices steady. High values were realised for hiimaras. which were in short supply. The market all round was short 01 green vegetables, and prices were very high.

Quotations: —Beet, Od to 1/9 per dozen; celery, cooking, (id to 1/ i.er bundle; des-sert, 13 to 3•'; carrots. 5/ to 10.6 pelbag, or 1/ to 2 3"per dozen; cauliflowers, 8 to 16.6 per sack; on benches. 4, to 10/ per dozen; cabbages, 4,6 to 13,6 per sack; on benches. 2- to 0/ per dozen; cucumbers, 4 to 7 6 per dozen; beans, hothouse, 9d to 1 6 per lb; kumaras, Island, 30 per cwt; Taui.tnza. 10. to 15.: per bag: leeks. 3d to Od per bundle; lettuce, 4 to 15 jier case; inaiiows. 4/ to 7/ per dozen; melons, Citrons. 2d to 2V4d per lb: onions, choice No. 1. 0 to 10 6 per bag; medium. 6 to 8,: potatoes, southern, 17' to 18 0 per cist; Ohakune. 10.' to 15, per bag; new, 2.1 to s'/«d per lb; pumpkins, choice Crown, 20' to 24/ per cwt; Triumble, 16 to 21 ; parsnips, 6/ to 9 6 per bag. or 1 6 to 2/ per dozen; radish, 6d to 9d i>er dozen; rhubarb, 4/ to 7/ per dozen: spinach, 9d to 1/6 j>er dozen: spring onions, 8d to 16 per bundle; swedes, 3/ to 4 6 per bag: turnips, 6d to 1/ per dozen; Brussels smrouts, od to 7 1 /2 d per lb. Poultry. At to-day's auctions the supply of poultry was medium and the demand was keen, especially for young drakes. The prices paid remained about the same. Selling rates were as follow:-MJockerels, heavy breeds, prime, 5/ to 7/ each; not 7.rime. 3/ to 4/; light breeds, prime. 4/ to s'; not prime, 2/6 to 3/3. Fat roosters: Heavy breeds', 3/ to 4/6; light breeds. 2/ to 3'. Fat bene: Heavy breeds, 4/ to 5/6; light breeds, 3/ to 4/. Laving hens: Heavy breeds, 4/ to 5/; light breeds, 3/ to 4, . Pullets: Heavy breeds, best, 5/ to 6'; smaller, 3/ up; light breeds, best, 5/ to 6'■': smaller, 3/ up. Drakes: Young, prime. 3/6 to 4/6; smaller, 3/ up; old, 2/ to 2,0 Ducks: Young, 4/ to 57; old, 2' to 3''6 Geese: 4/ to IJ. Turkeys: Hens, 5/ to 7/; gobblers, 8/ to 13/. Butter, Eggs, Flowers. Egg prices were unchanged as follows: — Hen: First grade. 2/4V6 per dozen: B, 2'2'4: C, l'O'/i. Duck: First grade, 2'2'-i-B. 2'\ l A; C. 1/6V4. Farmers' Butter.—l/ 4to 1/6% per lb. Cut Flowers.—To-day saw a record sale of flowers as far as prices were concerned. There was a good supply of blooms and all lines of good quality sold exceptionally well. POTATO SHORTAGE. ARRANGING FOR IMPORTS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. Owing to an anticipated shortage of potatoes, a complete survey of stocks iji New Zealand has been made, said the acting-Minister of Marketing, the Hon. W. Lee Martin to-day. It seemed that there were insufficient stocks to carry the Dominion over until the next season's crop was available and therefore the Government was prepared to accept applications from recognised importers for licenses to import. Applications, he said, would be made direct to Collectors of Customs in the various ports of entry and be forwarded to the Internal Marketing Division for consideration. Licenses might be granted in part only, and in any case the Government would allow importation only of such quantities as might be considered desirable in the light of the full facts. Applications should state whether sterling funds would be required for any licenses which might be issued.

SYDNEY PRODUCE MARKET. SYDNEY, August 3. Wheat prices continue to be unprofitable to growers, and the position is made worse by buyers holding off the market. Silo grain is quoted at 2/2% and bagged at 2,5. Flour, £12 15/. Bran and pollard, £4 5/. Potatoes, Tasmanian, £18 10/; others, £17. Onions. Egyptian brown, £29; Victorian brown, £25. Maize, yellow, 4/; white, 4/2.