GROCERY TRADE

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21992, 16 January 1937, Page 7

GROCERY TRADE

PROSPECTS AND PRICES

Trade in the retail grocery business is reported as steady and satisfactory. Markets generally are slowly rising, and maintaining former advances, where no immediate move is shown.

There has been nothing of importance in pi-ice movements during the week, except an alteration in sugar values. This has come at an inopportune time for the public, as sugar consumption is now approaching its peak, with the fruit preserving season just at hand. Canned Fruits The trade is anxiously waiting for prices to be issued for new season's Australian canned peaches and apricots It is generally expected that values will be a trifle higher than opening rates of last year, and this is strengthened by a new list just issued for Australian buyers for blackberries, quinces, black currants, and gooseberries, all of which are higher than last season. The advance is from 3d to Is a dozen on the different lines enumerated. Until yesterday there was no advice of the prices for apricots, peaches, or pears. I Brushware 1 An oversea message states that there is another shortage of bristle for the manufacture of brushware, and millet broom material is also higher. This position may sooner o» later affect the New Zealand brushware industry. At least one maker of Australian millet brooms has had to advance his price by 24s a gross. . Lard An attractive new package for la'-d in lib cartons is coming on the local market, the get-up being far more attractive than the paper-wrapped pats. The advent of this lard put up in other than paper wrappers may compel other producers to follow suit. Singapore Markets There have been one or two slight alterations in Singapore produce, according to late cablegrams to hand. Peeper has moved up by Jd per lb. mace remains as before, sago and tapioca are firmer by 4Jd per cwt, and nutmegs are fluctuating by .id per lb, according to the brokers' quoting. The pineapple market is stationary, with little interest being taken in it locally. The next direct arrival of Singapore produce at Lyttelton will no be until about April, and it will probably be next month before any buying activity starts. Jam New Zealand-made raspberry and apple and raspberry jam has been advanced by id per lb for all packages. Kapoc The kapoc market in Java is exceedingly firm, and one authoritv has prophesied that by the end of March prices will be up fully Id. This information is given for what it is worth, but coming from the trade it should be based on sound judgment. Disinfectants and Cleaners A well-known New Zca'nnd pack of cleaners and disinfectants has been advanced by 6d a dozen. N Tea The tea market in Colombo for Ceylon teas opened last week after. the New Year holidays, and the followine prices were obtained:—Broken Orange Pekoe: Common G 6-69 cents, medium 80-8 G cents. Broken Pekoe: Commcn 65-G6 cents, medium 70-76 cents. Broken teas: Commcn 64-05 cents, meduim 63 cents. Petroleum Jelly Owing to increased costs in the United States, the price of petroleum jelly has been advanced, and newprice lists are now available. Dried Apricots and Peaches South African dried peaches and apricots have been quoted for the new pack, and prices are a trifle higher than last season. . The Australian pack of dried apricots will be ready to market next week, but it is expected .that the packers will fulfil their local requirements before offering any for shipment to New Zealand. The Australian market is very bare of dried apricots, and a large quantity will be absorbed thereby. Another feature of selling first to Australian buyers is that usually better prices are obtained by the growers than is obtained for fruit exported to New Zealand. Up till yesterday no word had been received as to what prices will be quoted to New Zealand buyers, and as a matter of fact the price to the Australian trade had not been named when the mail left last week. Australian Sugar Bonus

For the month of January the Commonwealth Government will refund to shippers on exports the following amounts, based en the sugar content of the articles manufactured and exported:— To New Zealand on fruit products, £6 8s a. ton; to other destinations, -£l9 16s a ton. On manufactures other than fruit products (i.e.. confectionery, etc.) to New Zealand, £8 12s a ton; to other destinations, £22 a ton. Nuts

After a long absence of quotations, it is refreshing to note a London house quoting Barcelona kernels. Prices are certainly well above what they were this time last year, but the line is nevertheless attractive. Shipment can be had from London at the end of the present month.

Esss City stores still paying for supplies to farmers and others Is a dozen, all in, for eggs. In some instances small-sized eggs are being retailed at Is a dozen by cut-rate operators, but high-grade eggs are commanding Is 2d to Is 4d a dozen retail to the public. It was stated yesterday that in certain directions eggs were being retailed at the same price as they cost. Figs Since the London markets opened after the holidays, advice has been received that fig prices there have hardened, and an all round advance of Is 6d per cwt is advised.

White and Red Lead Australian producers of red lead have advanced prices by a further £3 a ton. White lead by the same makers has not so far moved any higher, but the market is reported as very firm. The recent advances in lead paints is owing to the increasing costs of pig lead.Susar As from January 11, all grades of sugar advanced by 15s a ton, but the prices of bulk tablet sugar, golden syrup, and treacle remain unaltered. A reduction of £1 a ton is noted in carton tablet sugar. Icing sugar made in Auckland is £3 a ton cheaper, whilst coffee tablet sugar is down £2 a ton. In regard to icing sugar produced in Auckland, this line is not bought here, as icing sugar users can get the locally-ground article at more favourable prices. The advance in the price of the 1A grade, sugar has necessitated a resetting of the retail prices to the public, which are now: Bag lots 17s 3d, equals 3s 4d a dozen lb, or 3£d small lots; brewers' crystals, 33 d per lb. Soap An overseas message advises that the tallow market is attracting the attention of German buyers, and very firm markets are expected. Any excessive advance in tallow prices will sooner or later be reflected in soap values. Jellies Jelly crystals are heading for a rise in price, owing to alterations in labour provisions. Added to this is a rise in sugar of 15s a ton, and jellies comprise a fair proportion of sugar. An advance of about 2s a gross in the near future seems likely to cover the added costs.

Gum Arabic A London message quotes gum arabic at £5 a ton advance in price for prompt shipment, but lower prices are due in the near future, apparently when the new crop comes in. Jute A Calcutta cablegram reviewing the jute market mentions that both cornsacks and woolpacks are weaker and the market a little lower.

Ox Tongues The market at present for tinned ox tongue is very bare, and supplies scanty. At least i_ne packing company has sold out completely, and supplies generally are short.

Bird Seed Millet seed is in short supply, and some handlers have had to cable Australia for supplies to keep them going until direct shipments arrive. ■ The latest news, of the market was an advance of 10s a ton, f.o.b. At present the local market for canary seed is fairly bare, and the supplies, available are firmly held. Fresh arrivals are due early, and these will relieve the situation. Canary seed recently landed in other parts of New Zealand has shown an increase in cost, and this will probably be the case when the next Lyttelton parcels arrive.