GROCERY NOTES

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25608, 24 September 1948, Page 5

GROCERY NOTES

The delay in announcing the 1949 import licensing schedule is very disappointing to merchants and importers of foodstuffs. Overseas export houses are aware of the position and realise that nothing is to be gained by spending time and money In submitting offers to New Zealand agents without results.

Under the conditions now prevailing, overseas trading is practically at a standstill, and New Zealand merchants are unfortunate in missing lines that are now going to other cc untries There must be a period in the new year when there will again be a scarcity of some foodstuffs on this Sago and tapioca are some of the few lines being offered, and althpugh the exporting countries are in a very unsettled state, cabled reports indicate that good supplies are still available, and prices for both lines are slightly lower than those ruling for previous shipments. However, this position is likely to deteriorate very quickly, and higher prices can be expected. It is reported that America is buying heavily on the Eastern markets, and this is indicated by the purchase of the pepper available of approximately 9000 tons. New season’s Sicily almonds (cooking) are also quoted for prompt shipment at a considerable reduction in price, but without an import licence there is very little hope of landing these in time for the Christmas trade.

Indian Walnuts.—Advice has "been received that orders placed some time ago for Indian walnuts in the shell have been shipped from Calcutta in the Wairata, which is coming direct to New Zealand ports. Contrary to earlier advices, shippers have also shipped- in the same steamer a smail parcel of shelled walnuts, and these should arrive in ample time for distribution before Christmas. As the quantity is very limited, it is unlikely that there will be sufficient to cover all requirements. Wrapping Paper.—The New Zealand Paper Mills have been granted a further increase in the price of all grades of wrapping paper. Sandow and ordinary cap paper haye advanced £4 12s 9d a ton, and unbleached cap £4 15s 3d. Kraft paper, the higher grade, is up by £5 16s a ton. Shipments of imported Swedish paper are expected shortly and, with the recent increases for the local product, these shipments should now land at a competitive price. Peanut Kernels.—An offer has just been received for a quantity of Chinese peanut kernels from Hong Kong. This is the first time for some years that Hong Kong has been in the position to submit quotations. Because of the unsatisfactory conditions prevailing in India and the limited quantity that may be shipped from that country, many import licences issued for the 1948 period have not been utilised. If these can be transferred from India, no doubt buyers will take advantage of the offer from the new source of supply. Bag Blue—lt is unfortunate for the housewife that the popular calico pack of bag blue is again likely to be off the market for some time. Although the calico wraps are actually short, good stocks are held of the war-time paper pack, and the manufacturers are inclined to dispose of these stocks before further supplies of the old-time pack will be procurable.

CoKee.—*fhe higher landed costs of coffee be&ns are responsible for a sharp increase in the price of a well-known pack of coffee and coffee essence. Pure coffee in 11b jars is now selling at 4s IOJd, lib tins at 4s 9d, and Jib at 2s 6Jd. The No. 1 quality lib jars are 4s sd, lib tins 4s 3Jd, Jib 2s 4Jd, and the Boz bottle of coffee essence is now 2s.

Rose Hip Syrup.—The manufacturers of rose hip syrup have advised merchants of a delivery of the Boz size to retail at 2s 4d. This will be the final distribution of syrup for this season, and further supplies will not be available until March. Stocks of the 6oz bottle to retail at Is lOd are still held, but the 4oz size is now almost unprocurable.

Pepper.—Although the recent high prices ruling for Singapore pepper are reflected in the increased prices in ground pepper from a southern packer, whose prices have again advanced by approximately 10 per cent., prices from British Malaya are now lower Most of the 1948 import licences are exhausted, and unfornately buyers are unable to profit by the lower costs now ruling. It is understood that only limited stocks are held in New Zealand, and until the new import schedule is available a shortage is anticipated. CEYLON TEA MARKET (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) COLOMBO, Sept. 22. Offerings totalled 4,090,0001 b at the Ceylon tea sales to-day. Demand was less general. Common varieties were firm but others were up to 16 cents lower. Highgrown broken orange pekoes realised 191 cents per lb; medium liquoring broken orange pekoes 160, medium liquoring orange pekoes 181, low medium broken orange pekoes 140, low medium pekoes 146 d. MINING Grey River Dredging.—The company’s report for the fortnight ended Septem--ber 22 is: 248 hours worked for 135,987yds dredged and 305.250 z recovered.—(PA.)