GROCERY TRADE MORE ACTIVE FOR EASTER

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28552, 3 April 1958, Page 17

GROCERY TRADE MORE ACTIVE FOR EASTER

(By Our Grocery Correspondent!

With the coming of April, the grocery trade in Christchurch is undergoing a change in the momentum of business. March ended on a particularly quiet note but both wholesalers and retailers are now coping with much-in-creased orders With the increase in business come difficulties in delivery, especially as there are only four working days this week. Part of the increased activity can be ascribed to the coming of Easter week-end. Camping and other activities are always popular at this time, especially so if the weather remains mild. Most lines of canned foods are in good supply, and summer lines are also readily available after a rather indifferent season. Sugar Prices Down—The main news this week is the unpredicted decrease of £6 per ton for sugar. The new fall in price has come as a surprise to most, and it is fortunate that it has arrived towards the end of the preserving season when sugar stocks have been dei dining The prices are at their low--1 est for two years, and today the new price for sugar will be 4s 4d lor 61b. a decrease of 4d. If these lover prices are maintained, a decrease in the price of products which carry a high percentage of sugar could be expected. Golden syrup and treacle are also down in price, but this will only affect the retail □rice by approximately Jd per 21b tin. New Sandwich Paste.—A North Bland packer of an already popular brand of sandwich paste is about to introduce a new flavour

on the market. The new variety is ham and tongue. This will retail at the same price as the other flavours. Is 9d for 4oz jar.

Packed Spaghetti and Vermicelli. —The New Zealand manufacturers have found it necessary to increase the retail price of two of their lib packs <st spaghetti and vermicelli. The new price is brought about by the increased cost of packaging In future they will sell at Is 5Jd for the vermicelli and Is 6d for the spaghetti. an increase of Id for the former and 2d for the latter.

Hops.—Reports are now to hand regarding the Nelson hop crop, and good supplies will be available for the retail market. Prices are the same as last year, 7s 9Jd per 11b packet.

Beef Loaf Price Up.—A Hastings canner has found it necessary to increase the price of beef loaf. This follows the increase of other meat packs a short time ago. The new price for a 12oz can is 2s 9d. Wholemeal. A Christchurch packer of wholemeal has altered his pack from 31b to 21b. The new pack is thought to be a more convenient size for the housewife. It is automatically sealed with a perforated tear-back top. The new 21b pack will retail at Is lOd each.

Green Peas.—A crop report from Hastings regarding peas is highly satisfactory, and the cannery in that area says that conditions for har- 1 vesting have been ideal. Crops have been more uniform than usual, and this helped in maintaining a high standard. It would appear that a shortage in either canned or frozen peas is unlikely this year.

Whakatane.—Whakatane Board Mills has announced the intention of paying an interim preference dividend of 6d per stock unit. The stock will be ex dividend on April 29.—(P.A.)