GROCERY NOTES

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25549, 17 July 1948, Page 9

GROCERY NOTES

Figs.—New season’s Tiirkish figs in the usual packs are now quoted for Septem-ber-October for transhipment in Australia at the same rates as last year and at a slight advance if shipped via London. To avoid a recurrence of the holdup last year in transhipments at an Australian port, it is not likely importers will take the risk of placing their orders at the lower figure. It is not expected that any import licences will be available until the 1949 schedule is announced by the Customs Department, and unless these are issued shortly shipments may again arrive in New Zealand too late for the Christmas trade.

Plum Puddings.—A new pack of plum puddings in IJlb tins to retail at 3s 6d in town and 3s 9d in the country areas, will be available shortly. Although looked upon as a Christmas line on this market, these should prove to be a popular line to include in overseas parcels. Crystallised Cherries.—After being off the market for a number of years, one manufacturer is now offering for delivery in the near future limited supplies of imitation crystallised cherries. Buyers have shown a considerable interest in the line and a good demand is anticipated. Samples indicate a good quality product, and although prices have not yet been approved, it is expected that it will compare favourably with prices previously ruling. ~ , New Zealand Canned Fish.—Although there has been a continuing demand for certain types of New Zealand canned fish, some lines, for which with the arrival of supplies from overseas there has been no demand, are now being sought. Shipments are now going overseas, and as only limited supplies are available for the domestic market, it is probable that all packs will be short before the end of the year. Cocoa and Chocolate. —The new scale of prices authorised by the Price Tribunal to the manufacturers of chocolates and cocoa is: cocoa, J’s, Is 5d and Is 5Jd; I’s, 2s 9d, 2s 9Jd;_ loose, 2s 2d and 2s 24d per lb, town arid country respectively. Chocolate tablets will retail at 4Jd, 9d, and Is

sd. Blue Peas.—The increase in price of blue Prussian peas was recently announced and these will now retail in town at 7d and

in the country 7Jd per lb. Cashew Nuts.—Following a slight easing in the market early in June, prices have again advanced, and remain steady at the rates ruling for some time. Advices state that stocks of unprocessed raw nuts are short and it is expected that higher prices will rule within the course of the next few weeks. The kernel of the cashew nut, forked like that of a walnut, is a very hard double shell •between the layers of which is a black, oily juice so acrid and caustic that if touched by the lips or fingers sometimes burns the skin and causes blisters. This acrid property is, however, neutralised by heat and the kernels are then edible. Dried Apricots and Peaches.—Documents have been received by importers for shipments of South African dried apricots and peaches arriving in the Arawa, due in Wellington shortly. CEYLON TEA MARKET (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) COLOMBO, July 14. Offerings at to-day’s Ceylon tea sales totalled 3,567,0001 b. Demand was good, with almost all teas advancing 2 to 10 cents per lb. High-grown broken orange pekoes realised 197 cents per lb, good medium broken orange pekoes 162 cents, medium liquoring broken orange pekoes 132 cents, low medium broken orange pekoes, 128 cents. MINING Ngahere.—The Ngahere return for the two weeks ended July 16 was 274 ounces from 97,356 yards, worked in 237 hours.