FRIDAY'S PRODUCE REPORT.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9323, 25 January 1896, Page 6

FRIDAY'S PRODUCE REPORT.

[by our commercial editor.] Early parcels of grain do not this season meet with a ready sale, and farmers find outlets for new oat 3 quite blocked for tbe time being. The Sydney market is completely glutted, and accumulated stocks there at tbe present moment of old oats are reported to stand at about 35,000 sacks. This fact, in view of the incoming maize crop, which is reported to be a heavy one, has caused a feeling of mistrust amongst grain operators, and sales are very difficult to push even at slightly reduced values. The market has given way fully a penny per bushel, and indications point to continued weakness for a time. As the winter advances, however, it is fair to assume that a healthier tone will prevail,-and as it is certainly undesirable to force sales on an overstrained market, growers will probably find it to their ultimate advantage to hold their new crop for a few months, when it is expected that the congested stocks on the other side will have passed into consumption.

Wheat—-Business is very quiet, and sales are confined to small shipments to feed millers from week to week. The market has gradually eased down, and sales have been made during the week of pearl at 3s 9d, Tuscan 3s Bd, and Hunter's 3s 7d to 3s 8d f.o.b. Lyttelton. A large portion of what comes forward now is found to be more or less "mitey," and hence only com* mands about the level of chiokwheat price, say 3s 5d to 3s 6d f.o.b.

Barley—There is no present demand for shipment, and probably business in the earlier part of the season will be mainly confined to local maltsters' operations. Opening prices are not yet established. Stocks of last season's medium quality are being offered at from 2s lOd to 3s 3d f.o.b.

Peas—None are in the market so far.

Beans are reported to have suffered badly from the high winds, but it is too early yet to accurately forecast the probable outturn.

Ryegrass—-The quality of the feed, as far as it has been seen, is very poor, the majority of samples exhibited up to the present being light and very dirty. Until more marketable samples come to band it is impossible to give any accurate idea of values. Cocksfoot—-Peninsula farmers are now very busy with threshing, and if the weather keeps fine a considerable quantity will be safely harvested during the coming week. A few early lots from the plains have changed hands at 2|d and 3d daring the week.

We propose for the incoming grain season to give the f.0.b., Lyttelton, prices instead of quoting the prices at country stations. Our readers will kindly note this.

[Unless otherwise specified, our quotations are the net prices paid to farmers f.0.b., Lyttelton, free of brokerage or commission. When storage charges are incurred in pert they must be allowed for.]