HIGH PRICES FOR VEGETABLES

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 25030, 12 November 1946, Page 6

HIGH PRICES FOR VEGETABLES

SHORTAGES IN CITY MARKETS EFFECTS OF BAD WEATHER ESTIMATED Unusually high prices were received for vegetables in the markets of Christchurch yesterday. There is an abnormal shortage of cabbages, with a very keen demand for other vegetables such as cauliflowers, leeks, spinach, and turnips. A reporter of “The Press” who made inquiries yesterday was told that it would be next January at least before vegetables would be available at reasonable prices. Market prices yesterday rose to 40s a dozen for cauliflowers, and other lines were nearly twice as high in price as they have been in normal years. Growers have been unable to pick large quantities of vegetables during the recent wet • weather. A further reason advanced for the shortage of cabbages was that growers had not planted so many this year, either because conditions were unfavourable at the time, or because of the system of ceiling prices.

Supplies to Retailers Last week, it was stated, 50 retailers in Christchurch did not get any supplies of cabbages at all, and the fixed price of 19s per cwt was obtained at the markets for some lines of most inferior quality. Cabbages formed tha basic part of the vegetable supply to the household at this time of the year; but there would be no relief for the shortage until the Drumhead varieties came in next January, it was stated. Only 50 sacks of cabbages were sold at the market yesterday, whereas the usual quantity handled was 400 sacks At present 1000 sacks a day could be sold before a glut set in. Another reason given for the present shortage of vegetables is that this season in Canterbury has been one of the worst ever experienced, according to growers. With the continual bad weather, the normal work of spring planting was interfered with. Also, the routine of winter cultivation had been retarded. This had reduced the quantity of early vegetables normally available at this time of the year. ' To potato and onion growers of Marshland, where the main crops of the Christchurch area are produced, the wet weather of the last few weeks has been a tremendous handicap. Growers there anticipate a short crop of potatoes next year, and there may be a light crop of onions. Planting schedules are about six weeks behind, and many growers have not been able to put in the quantities anticipated. Although some onion crops have been resown during the last two months, it is not yet certain yet whether the main crop will develop successfully. If the weather improves during the next few weeks, this situation may be partly remedied; but it is thought impossible that all the lost time can be made up.