GROCERY TRADE

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22983, 1 April 1940, Page 9

GROCERY TRADE

PRICES AND PROSPECTS JUTE MARKET RECOVERS The two most important movements in prices since the last report have been the recovery of the Indian jute market (cornsacks and woolpacks) and a fairly large increase in the price of household soap. Generally the overseas markets for grocery lines are firm, and with restricted export of certain goods and the total prohibition of export of other goods, from England the obtaining of supplies of many lines for New Zealand is a source of continual anxiety to importers. Eggs The local market for fresh eggs has firmed, due to supplies diminishing. Present values, that is prices paid by city stores to farmers for supplies, are: Firsts 2s. seconds Is lOd. pullets Is sd. all net. free of commission. The outlook generally is- for firmer values in the near future. Soap For several months the continued increase in prices overseas of the various soap-making materials, which have to be imported, have been such that substantial advances in the price ,of household soaps in New Zealand were inevitable. These movements, and in fact the situation generally, were pointed out several weeks ago in this column, when indications were given that advances in the price of soap must come about before long. This has now happened and new price lists have just been issued by soap-makers disclosing an advance of £5 13s 4d a ton. plus 2 per cent. The 2 per cent, represents a reduction in the discounts. Retail prices of household soao will have to be advanced to the public by twopence a bar. bringing them from Is 2d to Is 4d for the size usually sold, with corresponding increases in other sizes. Canned Fruits Commonwealth packers have at last issued to New Zealand importers nrices for new season’s canned Australian fruits except pears, for which no quotations have so far been received. In apricots and peaches both standards and second grades are quoted in 24’s and 16oz. - Prices are approximately Is 3d a dozen Con the 2.Ub size) above last season’s value, with a corresponding advance in the 16oz tins. Spread delivery under contracts can be obtained until the end of June, when prices may be reviewed. Cerebos Products A late cablegram from London notifies the New Zealand trade that Saxa salt in lib packets has been increased in price to 20s a dozen f.o.b. London. , Molasses The farming community, as well as country storekeepers, will be interested to hear that a shipmerit of molasses to relieve the present shortage of stock molasses left Java on March 20 in the Dutch stamer Tasman, which Is due in Wellington about the third week in April and her cargo in Lyttelton a few days later. This shipment will certainly land at a high price, but this is better than having no stocks. Interested buyers should contact their agents early for ex-ship quotations. Jute Market The decision'of the British War Office not to call for delivery of any more sand-bags from Indian jute mills until August caused a heavy slump in jute values, particularly in cornsacks and woolnacks. It is reported from* Calcutta that the number of Sand-bags of which delivery has been held up Is 250.000. . Recent cablegrams from Calcutta advise that there has been a sharp recovery in the jute industry due to fresh orders from the- British Government for 43 noo.ooo yards of 14oz hessian and 9.000. yards of the better grade. The message, beyond stating that the jute market has advanced .because ..of, this new business, did not ouote cornsacks or woolpack prices, but it is understood that both have now advanced again. \ ' cream of Tartar and Acids The overseas markets for cream: of tartar, citric acid, and tartaric acid have advanced considerably, and _a further handicap for importers is dimcultv in getting orders confirmed. In sympathy with European v elaes. the price of Australian cream of tartar ht.s advanced, and is now being quoted at about 2s~ per lb in Australia. Banned Goods and Government Contracts Recently certain retailers have been requested to quote the Government for tinned pineapple and Australian, macaroni, both of* which lines are banned under the import restrictions. Matse, Onions and Peas Late Australian quotations contain the following:—Milling peas, ss. 9d. maize. 5s 9d; Brown Spanish onions. £6; ail f.o.b. Melbourne. White Lead and Paint The overseas market for white lead is very firm, and this, coupled with the present high price of linseed oil, seems to indicate higher f.o.b costs in the near future for imported mixed paints. Another difficulty facing overseas paint and oil manufacturers is their inability to obtain sufficient containers in which to pack their products for the markets. Tea Last week the Java tea' market recovered slightly, but quality is still down a little. Offerings have been small, and the business that has been transacted has been at a range of prices slightly below those ruling for the previous month, ' _ , Reports by cablegram from Ceylon state that the quality of the tea there is now generally classed as good, and the market is responding correspondingly. Commons, low mediums, and Broken Orange Pekoes recently advanced by 3 cents, and all teas were firm in .price. TJie only weak feature has been in Broken Orange Pekoe fannings, but these have’maintained their price level: • , ~ At an auction sale of Ceylon tea, held at Colombo on March. 19, the following prices were ruling:—Broken Orange Pekoe; common, 74-76 cents; medium: 90-93 cents; fine: 1 rupee to I'’rupee 3 cents. Broken Pekoe: common 70-72 cents: medium: 85-88 cents. Broken tea; common 70-72 cents; medium: 72 cents. Dried Apricots and Prunes ' Limited supplies of Australian dried apricots have recently landed, and these will be very welcome as stocks locally are light. ' Certain sizes of prunes, processed m New Zealand, are out of stock, but this shortage will be remedied in the near future, when further bulk supplies of prunes are due to arrive for the processing factory. DEALINGS IN STERLING NOT SUSPENDED BRAZILIAN BANK DENIES REPORT * '.united pres* maociATion—coptrjobt.i RIO DE JANEIRO. March 29. The Bank of Brazil denies that it is not dealing in ‘sterling. It explains thatit bought heavily recently to service London loans which, at present are fully covered. It was reported on Saturday that the bank was teiriporarily. riot dealing in sterling. ■ ■ t.; ? PROPERTY AUCTION SALE Messrs H. G. Livingstone and Co. sold by public auction on Saturday in their rooms, 109 Hereford street;: the property situated No. 14 Harakeke street, comprising a quarter of an. acre, together wftth a residence, for the sum of £BBO, top J. G. Harper.