SMALL SEEDS AND GRAIN MARKETS

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27612, 19 March 1955, Page 10

SMALL SEEDS AND GRAIN MARKETS

(By Our Commercial Editor.) Small seeds and grain markets are quiet, with white clover weaker and ryegrasses developing the same tendency. . Realising that prices are phemonenally high, traders are acting cautiously and are accordingly not buying more than is necessary for immediate requirements. They are not prepared, in the face of the present state of markets, to take too much risk. Later in the year M is hoped markets will have settled ddWn on a less precarious basis. Suplies within the trade are of course not large and the bulk of this year’s harvest is reported to be now in merchants’ hands. Quotations to Farmers Potatoes.—Aucklanders and other preferred whites, £l6 a ton; Dakotas £l5 15s, and other varieties, £l4 15s a ton—all f.0.b., s.e. Wheat.—lls 6d a bushel (on rail, growers’ nearest siding), with the usual variety increments, plus the monthly holding Increments. Ryegrass (M.D.).—-Certified perennial: mother seed, 42s 6d a bushel, p.p. 40s, uncertified 27s 6d. Hl: mother, 41s; standing, 40s; uncertified, 30s. Italian: mother 37s 6d; uncertified, 28s—all growers subject to 98/90 minimum. White Clover (M.D.) —Mother, 6s per lb; p.p., 5s lOd: uncertified, 5s Bd. Red Clover (Cowgrass).—New crop seed not yet quoted. Cocksfoot.—3s per lb (nominal) for good quality farmers’ dressed seed. Lupins.—l6s a bushel, on trucks, sacks extra. Oats.—Gartons, 10s to 10s 6d a bushel; Algerians, 10s a bushel; Duns, 13s a bushel, and Black, 12s a bushel. Chaff.—£26 a ton, on trucks (sacks Ryecorn.—2ss a bushel on trucks, sacks extra. Onions.—£2o to £22 a ton on trucks, bags extra. GROCERY NOTES Trade so far this month has been quite steady, and a marked improvement has been shown in comparison with earlier in the year. Overseas markets are remaining steady, in most cases, with the exception of tea and coffee, which appeared to reach their peak some time ago. Since then the market has been easing. Tea this week has showed signs of firming after a sharp downward trend, and in some cases prices have increased by id to Id per lb. New Zealand Canned Pears.—A Hastings packer has now been able to give indications as to the quantities that may be expected this year. Although the pack is limited, supplies are better than the previous season, particularly 30oz cans. There will, however, be only a small quantity of 16oz cans. The price for the 30oz size will be the same as previously. Liquid Polishing Cream Price Increases. —The North Island manufacturers of a widely-used polishing cream, which previously retailed at 2s 6d, have advised the trade that in future their product will sell at 2s lOd a tin. Paper Bag Price Increases.—A higher

price has been approved for manufacturers of paper bags. This affects every grocer, as there is still a large proportion of goods sold that have to be bagged. In most cases, this is a cost that cannot be passed on. Australian Pineapple and Fruit Salad.— Merchants are being offered supplies of Queensland pineapple and fruit salad for shipment early in April. The packs include slices, pieces, crushed, and juice in the usual sizes. Stocks at the moment are good, and, with the colder weather approaching, sales are expected to be smaller, and this will more than likely influence buyers.