GRAIN AND PRODUCE

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23717, 15 August 1942, Page 6

GRAIN AND PRODUCE

CANTERBURY MARKETS

Grain and produce merchants are passing through one of the quietest periods for years—from the purely business viewpoint, that is. Unravelling official orders and regulations about potatoes that keep coming to hand is not allowing time to hang heavily on their hands. In the past the potato has been one of the main sources of business at this time of year, when other products such as small seeds are in recess. Now that the indispensable potato has come under the all-powerful hand of the State merchants have drifted into the position of agents, and the new job is not a welcome one. In the meantime potatoes have been going north satisfactorily so far this month, but it is expected that later shipments will taper off, and that by midSeptember there will be little to encourage the hope that civilians will come on the potato consuming list before the three months restriction expires. There is no inquiry for small seeds, and prices remain as last quoted. Orders for seed wheat indicate that the mild weather of the last few weeks is enabling farmers to get on with their spring sowing. The following quotations are approved by the president of the Grain and Produce Merchants' Association, all prices being on trucks unless otherwise stated:— Wheat (final payment August)— Tuscan, 6s IJd; Hunters, 6s 3Jd; Pearl, 6s sid; Marquis, 6s 7jd (all f.0.b,). Oats—A Cartons, 3s 6d, B’s 3s 3d; Algerians, 2s 6d to 2s 9d; Duns, 3s to 3s 6d a bushel. . Perennial and Italian Ryegrass—4s 9d to 5s a bushel, according to quality. White Clover—To 2s 9d per lb for farmers’ dressed. Cocksfoot—lOd to Is Id per lb for good lines.

Cowgrass—Up to Is Id. Lupins—3s 3d a bushel. Chaff—£4 Ss to £4 10s, according to station, a ton. '

Peas—6s 3d to 6s 6d for No. 1. Potatoes (August)— Buttons and King Edwards. £lO a ton; Whites and Dakotas, £9 10s, f.0.b., sacks in.