GROCERY TRADE

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22337, 26 February 1938, Page 15

GROCERY TRADE

PRICES AND PROSPECTS

There is a steady demand for all lines connected with the Lenten season, beginning on March 2, but outside this, trade in the city has been on the quiet side' this week. Country stores, however, report brisk business, this being the most active period o£ the year for country storekeepers. No price movements of importance have been advised from overseas (as regards grocery lines), during the week.

Asparagus

Stocks of asparagus in Australia are fast becoming depleted. Advices are to hand that one packer has sold out, and it is expected that similar positions will soon be announced by certain other packers. Greaseproof Paper

The price of greaseproof paper in Norway (the country of origin of this paper as far as the New Zealand trade is concerned) is still very high—with no signs df lower values on the horizon. Shipments now landing are costing out at high prices, and in any cr—e deliveries from Norway are a long ■way behind schedule, the factories having advised that they are flooded out with orders, and this has caused serious delays as far as deliveries are concerned.

Canned Fruit

That canned fruits in Australia will advance in price in a short time is the opinion held there by men connected with the trade. This advice is Just to hand by mail, and acting on this belief buying by Australian merchants has been heavy. This, coupled with high export orders already in hand for shipment to London, must have already made big inroads into this season's pack. A new pack of canned cherries in syrup—2£lb size, has arrived on the market from Australia. This line is being offered at 2s 3d retail to the public, and it should attract appreciative attention, as the article is a high grade pack, and it offers a diversion from the general run of canned fruits presented to the public.

Seeded Raisins

Ample supplies of seeded raisins have just arrived from California. Landed costs are fairlyhigh; but this was expected.

Turpentine and Linseed Oil

The London market for turpentine is .slightly easier in price, and linseed oil is also a trifle easier by 10s a ton.

Barley

Cape feed barley is being offered from Australia at 2s lOd, and Cape milling grade 3s Id, both prices f.0.b., Melbourne.

Eggs

The supply of fresh eggs is reported to be fairly plentiful. There is a slight irregularity in regard to prices to the public amongst retailers, and yesterday some stores were selling to the public at firsts Is Bd, seconds Is 6d. pullets Is 2d. Inquiries made m other directions show higher prices than the above were being obtained in some instances, the difference being 2d a dozen.

Acids

Tartaric acid '; now commanding fairly high prices, and locally stocks nr-i not very heavy. Citric acid is also fairly high in Europe, and future landings will not be as low as importers were hoping for.

Sugar

The recent fall in the price of sugar means approximately 3d a bag, and local retail prices have been accordingly reduced by this amount.

Sultanas artel Currants The trade is anxiously awaiting the prices for new crop ranls, sultanas, and lexias. Up to yesterday no word had been received concerning quotations. In Australia the Dried Fruit Control Board has just released prices for the lines referred to above, to Australian buyers, but no indication can be obtained from these values as to what (he export price will be for New Zealand as an entirely different range ol prices is always issued for export to this Dominion. Hawaiian Pineapples Quotations are just to hand for Hawaiian pineapples in all size packs. The landing charges on this line are high, but notwithstanding this, there is a fairly good demand for the article on this market. This offering is worth importers' attention, as is also Pineapple juice, which is also being offered at the same time. Figs

Inquiries made recently disclose that the fig market in London is unchanged from previous rates.

ASSOCIATED BANKS' DOLLAR

RATES

The Associated Banks (other than the Bank of New South Wales) quoted the following dollar rates yesterday on a NewZealand currency basis. They are subject to alteration without notice:— U.S.A. Canada. Dol. Dol. (Per £IN.Z.)

Scl, T , T - 402 3-16 4.U2 3-16 O.V. '.'. .. 4,02 9-16 4.02 9-16 Buying— TT •• 4.OaJ 4.00 J O.d'. '.'.' •■ 4.0« i 4 -°°3