GROCERY TRADE

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22081, 1 May 1937, Page 19

GROCERY TRADE

PRICES AND PROSPECTS A quieter week's trading was evident in the trade in the city this week. The demand for seasonable lines is quite as good as anticipated, with trade moving more toward winter lines. There have been no price alterations of note except a slight fall in the price of sugar. Eggs Supplies of fresh eggs are reported to be on the same level as last week; with a fair turnover in chilled eggs. Yesterday, city stores were paying farmers the following prices:—Firsts 2s 3d, seconds 2s, pullet Is 6d, duck Is 9d a dozen. All these prices are net. and free of commission. Jute Goods A recent private cable message from Calcutta states that the strike amongst the jute mill workers has taken an unexpected turn. • After the strike had been in progress some time, the employees of several mills returned to work, and this, it was thought, was the beginning of the collapse of the strike. News now to hand indicates that the employees of more mills jiave come out, and now 50 per cent, of the i mills and 40 per cent, of the looms are idle. Baking Powder J One well-known brand of baking powder will be advanced by 6d a dozen this morning. The packers of another brand, however, have so far not announced any price movement. Twine Oversea markets for both jute and cotton twine have advanced, the increase being approximately 2d per id on jute and 2Jd per lb on cotton lines. _ ~ Sugar Declines During the week sugar prices declined by 10s a ton, golden syrup and treacle also falling by the same amount. It was learned yesterday that the drop being only a small one, there would be no alteration m the price of sugar retail to the public. Tea Last week's auction of Ceylon tea, held in Colombo, showed quality definitely below the previous sale, and this reflected generally in prices obBroken Orange Pekoe, fine quality, ran from 90 to 95 cents, whereas at the previous sale it was bringing 1 rupee to 1 rupee 10 cents Broken i Pekoe held to its former level, whilst 'broken teas moved up slightly. The following was the range of prices:— Broken Orange Pekoe, common, 73-74 cents; medium, 80 to 83 cents; fine, 90 to 95 cents. Broken Pekoe, common, 72 to 73 cents; medium, 78 to 80 cents; broken tea, common, 71 cents; medium, 72 to 74 cents. The market in Ceylon is reported to be somewhat irregular at present. Prices are following quality, as is generally the case, but with any improvement in quality, prices are expected to advance correspondingly. The Java tea market, which last week showed a slight quality improvement, advanced i to 1 cent for good liquoring grades. There is at present in Java a strong market, due to supplies not being as large at present as was expected. The weather has improved and tea is consequently showing slight improvement in quality. Cornflour Following on recent advances in the price of bulk cornflour, packet cornflour in Paisley has now advanced by about 4s per cwt, according to a cable message just to hand. Coconut Desiccated and shreaded coconut declined, this week, according to a cable message from Colombo. The drop is not due, it is reported, to any move-, ment in the stock position in Ceylon but to certain market movements in London affecting some of the companies producing coconut in Ceylon. Rice New season's rice in Australia is now ready and the sample is stated to be well up to standard. The market at present in Australia is steady, with no price alterations. Bluestone , A further drop of £2 a ton in the price of bluestone overseas is an-' nounced. Almonds New season Sicily almonds (for dispatch in September), which were quoted last month, have eased again this week in London by £2 a ton. Since opening prices were named, the tendency of the market has been toward lower values. Prices are still fairly high, and many importers have so far not placed their orders, believing that prices will ease still iurther. Arrowroot. Queensland reports advise that there is no "let up" in the arrowroot position. Stocks are hard to locate, and the few holders are firm in their quotations. Preserved Ginger Green ginger in the East has been commanding advancing prices, and as this is the raw material for preserved ginger, its arrival is expected to show increased landed costs over previous shipments. Should this come about it may ultimately reflect in the price of New Zealand processed preserved ginger. Fruit Pulp News has been received that shipments are coming from Australia of fruit pulp, mostly red currant, raspberry, apricot, black currant, and tomato. This pulp will go principally to jam factories, to assist them over the general shortage this season of fresh fruit in New Zealand. Japanese Goods Notice of fair advance in shipping freights from Japan as from June 1 has been given. This will aad to the landed costs of goods imported from Japan. The principal lines affected will be soft, goods and crockery, glass ware and fancy goods. Not much grocery merchandise comes now from Japan.