GENERAL MERCHANDISE

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 21034, 9 December 1933, Page 12

GENERAL MERCHANDISE

GROCERIES A very busy week has been experienced in wholesale grocery business, and this condition is likely to continue from now on. The arrival of new season's goods has added to the volume of turnover. Collections are improving, and there is no doubt that there is more money about now than has been the case for some years. Salmon. A mail report from Canada issued by the Canadian Department of Fisheries states that more Sockeye and Pink salmon has so far this season been packed than last year. The packs, however, will be smaller this season in other grades. Up to August 3 the pack was 37,800 cases less than for the corresponding period last year. The report states that the export of frozen salmon to Europe is the chief cause of the fall off in the pack of canned salmon. Tea. At last week's tea auction, held in Calcutta, of Indian teas, 19,300 chests were sold, with export licenses attached. Cup quality showed improvement, and many Dooars possessed good autumnal flavour. Demand ran on similar lines to the previous sale, and the marked generally was unchanged, except for Fannings, which brought forth very strong bidding. Average prices ruling at the sale ran:—Broken orange pekoe, common, 9 anna; medium, 9 anna 6 pies; good, up to 14 anna 6 pies. Broken pekoe, common, 8 anna 9 pies; medium, 9 anna; good, up to 9 anna 6 pies. Fannings, common, 8 anna 9 pies; medium, 9 anna; good, up to 13 anna 6 pies. The Colombo tea sale disclosed a strong market for Ceylon teas, with many lines slightly higher by two and three cents. Sultanas. Contrary to expectations, it is now advised that Australian sultanas can be shipped from Melbourne, according to a message this week, stating that supplies were available. What quantity is offered is not stated, except that it was not large. Jams. New price lists have been issued by some of the principal jam factories. These disclose a rise of id per lb on first grade tins, whilst substantial rjses are listed on second grade in tins. Jars remain as before. The rise in second quality tins is in some cases Is 9d a dozen for l's, and 3s a cozen for 2's. Dates. Interest is now being taken in dates for arrival in February and March. Quotations from London this week for Siars are such as to attract business. The price for shipments up to August is also quoted, and based on an advance in price of about 6d per cwt a quartet. This means that June to' August shipment can be had at 6 per cent, over March-May dispatch. So far there is no advice of new season s dates, which are now afloat, and it is practically certain that they <r? nn °t land until after New Year. Meantime, stocks on hand are very A? d a shortage is imminent all over New Zealand before arrival of new dates as above. Pineapples. ■ T he pineapple market in Singapore * i. ns made t0 raise prices, ™ d nn s ™ e conferences have been held canne fies- The chief difflarS be tho con trol of outside canners, which in some l- bour ar fh ,? W ? 8C l ) - and run by Chinese packing cost. to a very chea P