GRAIN AND PRODUCE MARKETS

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26515, 1 September 1951, Page 9

GRAIN AND PRODUCE MARKETS

(Bv Our Commercial Editor.) Spasmodic inquiries are being received from the United Kingdom for small seeds. No business is being written, however, except in the fine varieties’, fescue, browntop, and dogstail. A large Dominion Government tender is out for ryegrass, white clover, and cocksfoot, and this Is having a steadying eSect on the market. In the Bank of NeW Zealand’s latest produce circular issued -by the bank’s London office, it is noted that while some prices of small seeds in the United Kingdom have remained at high figures, substantial reductions have been made lately in others. This has caused buyers to delay their purchases in anticipation of further reductions. Very little trading has taken place for shipment to any united Kingdom port, and no business at all has been reported to European countries, many of which have good crops in prospect. ‘‘Denmark, for instance," says the report, “can supply seeds which are considered to be of better value to United Kingdom buyers than those of New Zealand.”

Other information in the report is as follows:

"Chewings Fescue.—This seed has been selling to America at high prices, with the result that 565 s c.i.f., U.K. ports, is now asked, against 560 s paid early in June.

"Crested Dogstail.—Earlier in the year crested dogstail was quoted higher than fescue, but it can now be bought at 405 s to 410 s c.i.f., U.K. ports. "Browntop.—The recent prohibitive prices have now fallen to just over 700 s c.i.f., at which level a few small orders have been received, but in the main buyers are uninterested. “Perennial Ryegrass.—Perennial ryegrass has declined to 110 s, c.i.f., for mother seed and 105 s, c.i.f.. for permanent pasture. but H.l (short rotation) which is in short supply, has found occasional buyers for ton lots of mother seed at 180 s, c.i.f., against business concluded early in the year at 1455, c.U. “New Zealand Italian Ryegrass.—This seed has been far too dear for United Kingdom buyers; offers have varied from 165 s c.i.f. for standard seed to about 190 s c.i.f. for mother seed. "Clovers.—Although New Zealand holders have been prepared to make fairly big concessions lately, the United Kingdom merchants have not been willing to bid. owing to the present favourable prospects for the English crops. - Continental whites have also been offered cheaply. Brokers quote present asking prices for New Zealand permanent pasture seed, from 475 s to 500 s c.1.f., with mother seed 'at 515 s c.U. Montgomery red clover has been offered at 510 s c.i.f. for mother seed and at 500 s for standard without attracting buyers, and no sales have been reported in the 1951 crop New Zealand seed. “All the above are on the basis of purity 98 per cent, minimum and germination 90 per cent, minimum. Clovers include hard seeds. At present, spot values are difficult to determine because of the lack of interest from buyers, while sellers are offering little. Because of this quotations for seeds 'ex store' are not being given.” . , Since this report was published on July 20, private Information to hand in New Zealand is to the effect that because of unfavourable weather the white clover crop in the United Kingdom is not threshing out as well as was anticipated.

Quotations to Farmers Current quotations for small seeds and other produce are as follows: Potatoes.—Sutton’s Supreme or King Edward varieties. £l2 15s a ton: Red Dakotas, £l2 10s; any other variety, £ll 15s. AH prices for f.0.b.. s.e. Wheat.—Tuscan varieties, 9s 9d a bushel on trucks. Premium of 2d for Hunters. Id for Pearl or Velvet, and 6d for Marquis, and Is for Hilgendorf. Ordinary orice Increments: April. Id a bushel; May. 2d; June, 3d; July, 4d; August, 41d; September. sd. Special increments (inclusive of ordinary Increments) for wheat held on the farm and delivered to the mills direct from the farm on which it has been grown; April, 3d a bushel. May, Id: Junq, sd; July. August, and September, 6d. Ryegrass (M.D).—Certified perennial mother seed, 15s a bushel; p.p., 14s: uncertified, Ils. Hl: mother seed. 20s a bushel; standard, 19s; uncertified, 17s 6d. Italian: mother seed. 18s a bushel: standard. 17s; uncertified, 15s 6d. White Clover (M.D.).—Mother seed, 3s 7d per lb; p.p., 3s 4d; uncertified, 3s Id. Cocksfoot.—Up to Is 6d to 2s per lb (farmers’ dressed). Red Clover (Cowgrass).—2s per ib. machine dressed. Browntop.—Certified, 4s fid per lb; uncertified, 4s. Oats.—Algerians. 7s 6d to 7s 9d a bushel: Gartons, 6s 6d to 7s; Duns, 7s to 8s; black oats. 6s to 7s. The price range in etch case is according to quality. Linseed (1952 harvest).—£so a ton on trucks. Lupins.—7s a bushel, on trucks (sacks extra). Barley—-7s a bushel, malting. DUNEDIN (New Zealand Press Association) DUNEDIN, August 31. Although there has been no increase in business in small seeds to record during the week, there is a steadier tone apparent in the market for most lines, and it would appear that the bottom has been reached, at least temporarily. In the prices of several lines.

GROCERY NOTES

Baking and Custard Powder.—Prices of the Christchurch pack were advanced last week and new retail rates are:—Cream tartar baking powder. IOJd and 2s 4d; phosphate, 8d and Is lod; custard powder, lOoz, Is sd. Tlte Auckland packer also made a similar change, his prices being much the same. Fruit Extract.—Retail price of a wellknown Auckland pack has advanced by 2d a bottle.

Soap Powder.—A new large-size pack is now being distributed. It is a product of the Petone factory, and retails at 2s fid a packet.

Bleaching Fluid.—A new product packed in 20oz bottles, to retail at 2s 6d, will shortly be introduced. The manufacturers claim that in the laundry it supersedes blue. '

Shaving Soap.—New prices have been approved by the Price Tribunal for a popular brand containing a disinfectant. Revised retail rates are 2s 3d for both pots and sticks. Puffed Wheat.—The Papanui factory is once more manufacturing this cereal, which will retail at Is Old. Caustic Soda.—Higher overseas costs now affect the small packings. The 21b tin is up by 2d a tin.

Rice.—Retail price of Australian rice now on sale is lOd per lb. One shipment was made to Port Chalmers and thence railed to Christchurch. Although bought at a cheaper price than that of the Lyttelton direct shipment, extra charges bring the cost up to about the same level. Vinegar.—To avoid any possible difficulty over transport, the Auckland company has arranged to ship the coming season’s requirements immediately packing is completed. The heavy demand does not set in until ho'me pickle and saucemaking begins, and usually this is when shipping is most difficult.

Cornflour.—The Paisley pack at the latest cost has now landed, and when it reaches retailers an advance of about 4d a packet may be expected. Californian Raisins.—There appears to be some likelihood that the United States Government will grant shippers a subsidy on exports. If such is the case, orders placed by New Zealand buyers will land at much lower prices- than those originally named. Tea.—ln addition to the reduction of 3d per lb there may be some further small decrease in price. A Dunedin packer made a reduction of 2d per lb in August, and two local packers have announced that their brands will be reduced by 4d instead of 3d as from September 3,

DUNEDIN RABBITSKIN SALE

Competition was poor at the Dunedin rabbitskin sale this week and values became lower as the sale progressed. Hatter’s grades declined 5d to 8d per lb and springs and outgoings, 16d to 23d. Best winter does Were, however, only a shade easier.

The range of prices is as follows: small and runners, 9d to 141 d per lb; racks, 13jd to 20Id; autumns, 20d to 252 d; summers, 14Jd to I7jd; milky, 12d to 19 d, third broken, 13Jd to 15|d; second broken, 20Jd to 21d; first broken, 24d to 25jd; incomings, 26d to 36jd; spring bucks, 20Jd to 35jd; spring does, 20d to 441 d; outgoing bucks, 36d to 46d; outgoing does. 36d to 62d; winter bucks, 47|d to 76Jd; winter does, 80|d to 95d; first winter bucks, to 82d; first winter does, to 109 d; third blacks, 17jd to 23jd; second blacks, 32d to 37jd; first blacks, 71d to 80d; third fawns, to 20d; second fawns to 30d; hareskins, 30d to 50d. Second ferrets, 6d to Is each; first ferrets, 3s to 5s fid. Second stoats, fid to Is each; first stoats, 7s 5d to 8s 5d each. Horsehair, 60d to 66Jd per lb. The next sale will be held on September 25.

RANGIORA STOCK SALE

Two springers, second and fourth calvers, sold at £l6 and £26 at the Rangiora market yesterday. Weaner pigs sold from £3 4s to £3 ss.