GROCERY TRADE

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21436, 30 March 1935, Page 11

GROCERY TRADE

PROSPECTS AND PRICES Without anything of outstanding importance occurring during the week, business in the wholesale grocery trade has been steady and of satisfactory volume. There has been a marked falling off of summer lines, and fair buisness is reported in lines more suitable for colder weather. The turnover in Lenten goods has been up to the usual standard, and many lines of confectionery, such as Easter eggs and novelties, have had good enquiry. Singapore Markets There has been very little movement in Singapore produce. Pineapples have moved a little and are firmer at lid advance. It is stated that there is at present a movement in progress in Singapore amongst pineapple packers to arrange amongst themselves an export selling price. The industry has for a considerable time been worked in many cases at a loss, and some packing houses have ceased operations owing to low prices. Even the packers who have been able to carry on are having a very difficult time, and they have decided that it is time to make a move to improve matters, and conversations amongst packers have been held, and it is Iroped that a working agreement for export will be the result. Flour

Rumours are current that the price of flour is likely to advance very shortly, and some retailers have placed orders in anticipation of such a move. Currants and Sultanas Weather for harvesting the crop of currants and sultanas in Australia h/.s been perfect, resulting in the fruit being of excellent quality, with very little of the lower grade present. It is stated that there will be very little j one or two crown currants, and prob- „ ably the same will apply to sultanas. So far no new currants or sultanas have arrived from Australia, but Australian merchants have already had delivery of new season's currants, quality showing up as excellent. Apricots and Peaches There is an acute shortage locally of dried apricots and dried peaches. Supplies are now due from Australia, and are expected to arrive early next month; meantime there is nothing to be done except await this arrival, as it is the first relief in sight. Eggs The market has firmed up for iresh eggs, and supplies have fallen off considerably. Sales have declined, but , supplies have diminished faster than sales, and thus caused higher values. - A report from London states that the final shipment of eggs by the Largs Bay landed on a glutted market, and sold at 6s 6d a case, equal to slightly less than 8d a dozen. The report further states that the supplies c* eggs from the Continent and elsewhere comin" on the London market are abnormal, and slutted market conditions have resulted. Tablet Confectionery A recent agreement amongst manufacturers of tablet chocolate confectionery has fixed a new scale price Id, 3d. Gd and Is lines. The amended price is tiow based on one to five boxes, 4s 2d; six to 11 boxes, 4s lid, and falling to a minimum pries of 4s for 48 box lots. Sago and Tapioca Sago and tapioca are still stationary ' with no indications present that prices 1 are likely to alter much either way. i'epper The position in the white pepper market is still one of considerable uncertainty. Little or no buying is going on in Singapore. Those requiring supplies are looking to London, where huge stocks are expected to be liquidated in the very near future, if this has not already commenced. Australian holders are open to quit in this market at what appears to be favourable prices for immediate requirements only. | yoap I Last week it was himed in this column that the price of soap was such as to induce many buyers to operate in anticipation of a rise in price. An advance of £4 a ton was announced this week, and also an advance of 2s a case in sand soap. Soap powders have also advanced, the amount a case varying according to pack. It is the very strong position of the raw material market that has caused soap prices to advance so rapidly, as has been the case since the New Year. j Tea Last week Ihe usual auction of Ceyj ion teas was held in Colombo. Owing j to the closing of the Calcutta market more attention is now being paid to the Ceylon sales. Fine quality Ceylon J teas still continue to maintain a high price, and this result must sooner or later reflect itself on the New Zealand market. New Zealand buyers are stated to be buying in some cases from Australian stocks, where the price shows any advantage. At the auction referred to above the following prices were obtained;— Broken Pekoe, common 51 to 53 cents, medium 90 cents to 1 rupee 10 cents, fine 1 rupee 20 cents to 1 rupee 35 cents; broken Pekoe, common 49 to 50 cents, medium 80 to 90 cents, fine 95 cents to 1 rupee 5 cents: broken teas, common 48 cents, medium' 58 cents. Quality at the sale showed a slight falling off, and caused an easier tone generally. Linseed Oil and Turpentine A late London cable states that linseed oil is unchanged at £22 ss. Turpentine is quoted 49s cwt, both prices being f.o.b, London.

DAIRY PRODUCE LONDON MARKET A. S. and Cor.-p; ;■ " that they have received «i:h .c- ■■ "i their London principals •' : -l J. Lonsdale and Company) v.:u; regard to dairy produce marked: Butter market quiet, buye.i u:aetive. New Zealand 75s to 765, Australian 73s to 14s, Danish 80s f.o.b. Cheese market steady. White ciiees* 46s 6d, coloured cheese 475. Dalgety and Company. Ltd, Christchurch, have received from Samuel Page and Son the following catilg message, dated March 28: — Butter—Market firm. Danish 30s to 82s, finest New Zealand 765, finest Australian unsaited 75s to 765, salted 73s to 745, g.a.q. 71s, Cheese—Market iirm. Quotation: New Zealand white 465. coloured 47s to 47s 6d,' Canadian spoi white ar.d coloured 58s to 625. The National Mortgage and Agenc\ Company of New Zealand, Ltd., advise having received the following cable message from their principals, Messrs A. J. Mills and Company, Ltd., London: Butter market is firm. Finest 76i, firsts 755, Danish 100s, f.o.b. 80s, Australian 745. Cheese market is ran:. While 45s od to 435, coloured 47s to 47s 6d. Canadian, white 62s to 645, coloured 58s to 60;.

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