Busy Trend Continues In Grocery Trade

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29366, 19 November 1960, Page 15

Busy Trend Continues In Grocery Trade

(By our Grocery Correspondent)

The busy trend still continues in the grocery trade and all branches are trying to catch up the time lost in the short week. Stocking up for Christinas—now only five shopping weeks away—is also keeping the trade busy. Prices in staple foods such as tea, meat, bacon, eggs, oat foods, and potatoes have all gone up. Potato prices have been steadily rising for some time, and the price of old potatoes is now almost prohibitive.

These price rises that many households are finding it more difficult to balance the budget.

New Cornflake Pack.—A food packer in Papanui will shortly be releasing an Boz cornflake pack similar in size to one of an established" brand. However, the price is 2d cheaper, and the newcomer will retail at 2s, and should make it a ready seller.

South African Goods.— Freight rates on South African goods are going up by 7 per cent., according to recent reports. Prices for popular lines, such as pineapple and smoked cod fillets, are likely to be dearer.

Powdered Cheese.—A Helensville cheese factory, already manufacturing several different varieties of cheese, is to introduce powdered cheese on to the local market for the first time. Flavoured rather more strongly than other cheeses, it can be used in salads, sandwiches, sauces, savoury toppings and spaghetti. Packed in 6oz cans, the powdered cheese will sell for 4s 2d. It is already on sale in the North Island.

Canned Apricots.—There has been a reasonable pack of canned apricots this year, and a short. time ago stocks were still available from an Otago cannery. The cannery recently advised that limited stocks were available in 16oz and 30oz cans. Reasonable stocks are also being held in the trade.

Australian Dried Fruits. —The Commonwealth Dried Fruits Control Board of Australia has advised that no more orders would be accepted for currants or sultanas. However, stocks of raisins are still available. Most merchants have covered their requirements, and it is too soon to know if there is going to be any shortage here.

BUTTER PRICES IN EUROPE Market Seems Likely To Be Over-Supplied (New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND. November 18. The butter price position in Europe this season .can not be viewed with confidence, in the opinion of Mr. James Smillie, director of Henf’y A. Lane and Company, Ltd., Tooley street, merchants, London. .Mr Smillie, who has been visiting New Zealand for the last three weeks having discussions with the Dairy Products Marketing Commission and other leaders of primary industry, leaves for the United. States today. There was a greatly increased flow of milk in Europe this year and it seemed that the market would be over-supplied.