WHOLESALE MARKETS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 84, 9 April 1940, Page 4

WHOLESALE MARKETS.

TRADING GENERALLY BRISK.

BIRD SEED MARKET FIRM

DRIED FRUIT PRICES NAMED,

Wholesale grocery merchants report: excellent business from both town and country stores last week. General trading yesterday was .well maintained, and merchants are anticipating another good week in general grocer} - lines. The mid-month tobacco distribution commences on Monday the loth to the country, and to the town on the following day, and as orders rre always heavy for the first clay requisitions are already coming to hand, so that juick dispatch can be assured. Plate Powder and Cigarettes. A well-known line 01 English plate powder which has been off the market for a considerable time is now available in one size only, which is an intermediate packing, retailing at 1/6. As retailers stocks of plate powder have been almost nil for some time, this line will move k'ery quickly inl'o their hands. A wellknown line of English cigarettes packed in 30's tins with filter tip have now been withdrawn from this market. Peas and Corks. Consignments of new season's blue and marrowfat peas have come to hand from the South Island, and as prior to thk arrival the marker had been very short oi supplies, good business is being done on both lines. Certain sizes and grades of corks have been out of stock for some time, and the ldvice that a further shipment has just come to hand will be welcome. Unfortunately costs are considerably higher, an advance of approximately 15 per cent*'being advised due to extra freight ai.d war risk insurance, etc., being incurred. Bird Seed. Overseas quotations for mixed bird seed and budgerigar seed have been slowly advancing for some time, with the result that increased rates have been advised by ine local packer for both 6mali bags and bulk. The overseas market is so firm that there is little doubt that all packers will have to advance their rates very shortly. Miscellaneous. An increase in selling rates of all packties of methylated spirits lias been advised yy the Methylators' Association. Certain brands of southern aluminium saint are suffering a temporary shortage, A'hich is expected to be overcome shortly. In the meantime ample stock of other >aeks is available. Notwithstanding the substantial advance "eeently noted on all brush ware lines, t3ie trade are interested in merchants' recent offers of carded brushware, which still affer excellent value. With the forward market for tinned meats showing a definite tendency for higher values, reservations at present rates have been fairly substantial. Supplies of overseas importations of canned strawberries, raspberries and loganberries have been extremely limited, aud merchants are therefore anticipating an early clearance of present stocks. With imports of steel wool for kitchen cleaning totally prohibited, a locally manufactured line whidh is proving perfectly satisfactory is meeting with a ready sale. A recent importation from South Africa »f pure bottled grape juice is meeting with i ready 6ale amongst discriminating luality buyers. Certain brands and packs of peanut butter which have been off the market for some weeks are again available from the wholesale. Supplies of Penang sago have been extremely short, and the advice that further consignments are due to arrive this week will be welcome news to the trade. The rebate previously offered on a line of oil toilet soap has now been withdrawn. Out of Stock Listings. Lines marked out of stock comprise the following: An English brand of 30's tiltertip cigarettes, gherkins in nil brands, Scotch marmalade, 12oz English strawberry jam, English marking ink, chillies, tumeric. Further supplies of a locally packed line of barley sugar are unprocurable for approximately two -weeks. Recent Arrivals. Arrivals from overseas and coastal E>ort's comprise the following consignments: Malt extract, oyster shell grit, Southern proprietary brand breakfast foods, rolled aats, oatmeal, custard powder, bath eleaner, carton gelatine, medicinal pills, Iry batteries, infants' food, medicinal salt's, chloride of lime, bulk Ceylon tea, 51b bags iodised salt, etc., etc. Canadian Herrings. A leading Canadian packer on the Pacific Coast advises that no further supplies of herrings in tomato sauce will be available from Canada until new season's pack is available towards the end of this year. Vine Fruits. The Commonwealth Dried Fruits Control Board advises that present prices for Lexias are extended to the end of June. With reference to sultanas and currants the position remains practically unaltered. The weather being good, the board advises that processing is proceeding rapidly. To date, however, no 1 or 2-Crown sultanas are available. Curry Powder. Further limited quantities of a wellknown brand of English curry powder are now available on the New Zealand market. New selling rates are, however, slightly in advance of last year's rates. Dried Tree Fruits. New season's prices have beer, named by Australian shippers of dried apricots, peaches and pears on a basis of approximately 9d per dozen advanced on last year's opening f.o.b. rates. Selling conditions remain unaltered. To date, however, no licenses are available for New Zealand importations. Dried Apricots.—The position is further complicated by the fact that England is inquiring for further supplies, but Australian shippers would like to protect their New Zealand clients. Any quantities unsold on this market will be shipped to England. Peaches. —The trade are advised that the peach pack is most disappointing and, apart from a small tonnage of peeled peaches, it appears very doubtful if shippers will be able to quote this season. Prunes.—With reference to the prune crop, it is regretted that" this season has been a very no'>v one in Australia, and present indications are that supplies for New Zealand will be practically negligible. So far available supplies have only been sufficient to supply local needs, but should the position improve the trade will be advised immediately. Wholesale Current Prices. Butter.—First grade pate, 1/4% lb; first grade bulk, 1/4% lb; second grade pats, 1/4% ib; whey pats, 1/3% lb. Cheese.—Export (80's), crate lots 9%d tb, less lOd lb; medium (40's), crate lots lOd }b, less lO'/id lb: (20's), crate lots, 10% d ib, less 10% d lb net; leaf, crate lots 10% d lb, less ll%d lb. Bacon. —Ham, 1/2 lb; rolled boneless ham, 1/4% lb; cooked whole ham, 1/5% fb; cooked rolled, 1/8 lb; cooked pressed ham, 1/10 lb and 2/ lb; rolled middles, 1/5 lb. Lard, bulk 8d lb, pats 9d Jb. Dripping, pats, 4%d lb. Honey.—First grade: lib cartons, 11/6 iozen; 21b tins, 22/9 dozen: 51b tins. 66/6 dozen. Second grade: lib cartons, 9/3 iozen; 21b tine, 18/ dozen; 51b tins, 43/6 lozen. Flour. —Local: 2001b sacks, £14 15/6 ton; loo's, £15 12/6 ton; 50's, £15 17/6 ton; 25's, £16 7/6 ton; 12%'s, £17 ton; 6H's, £17 17/6 ton. Malt.—Crushed. 11/6 bushel; whole trhite. 11/3 bushel; whole black, 12/3 bushel.