GROCERY NOTES

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25796, 6 May 1949, Page 10

GROCERY NOTES

Prices for Australian canned dessert fruits have not advanced to the extent expected by Christchurch merchants, the increase being only 3d a dozen for 30oz cans and IJd for the 16oz size. New Zealand's allocation has not yet been announced, but from the value of import licences to be issued the indications are that the total quantity of all packs to be shipped will be at least 20 per cent, less than last year. Some importers have been fortunate in establishing availability of supply for fairly large quantities of Queensland tinned pineapple, which should help considerably in making up the deficiency in other fruits. Latest cabled reports from Singapore are to the effect that all pepper quotations have been withdrawn. A shipment of Grecian olive oil packed in 40-gallon drums has arrived in NewZealand on a very short market. This, when packed in serviceable containers, will be most welcome to packers and the trade generally. Brazil Nuts.—Advice has recently been received that the first of the new season’s Brazil nuts have arrived in Livergool. At this port they are resorted and agged for further destinations, and reports to hand indicate that very good quality nuts should be available for shipment to New Zealand. Prices are unchanged from last year. Limited quantities of kernels are also offering. These are the native crack variety and are ungraded. However, these conform to the standard accepted over recent years of 60 per cent, whole small and medium nuts, 15 per cent, large and the remainder of 25 per cent, is made up with chips and broken kernels. Salad and Cooking Oil. —Over a long period this market has been bare of peanut salad and cooking oil, and the arrival of a fairly large shipment at a very reasonable price will be most welcome to packers and the trade generally. Preserving Jars.—Although the season has just about ended for the sale of preserving jars, merchants are already out booking orders for next season’s supplies. The lib tie-over jam jar and the quart size preserving jar will again be the two sizes manufactured, and the allocation to distributors will be on the same basis as last year. Deliveries will be much earlier, the manufacturer expecting to have supplies ready for delivery in Nov-ember-December. Peanut Kernels.—New season’s prices for Indian hand-picked peanut kernels have been received by some importers and are 10 per cent, lower than last season’s quotations. It is understood that import licences will be issued up to 200 per cent, of 1948, less any shipments of kernels imported on T 948 licence, and did not. arrive here until March. Peanut Butter.—Advices have been received from Australia that export licences are now available for peanut butter packed in tins, and some importers have received quotations that compare very favourably with the local packs. Present stocks are practically exhausted and unless import licences are issued for Australian packs or early shipments of peanut kernels land for the local manufacturers. supplies of this line will be unprocurable.