Quiet Month In Grocery Trade

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29749, 16 February 1962, Page 13

Quiet Month In Grocery Trade

(By our Grocery Correspondent)

February is perhaps the quietest month of the year in the grocery trade. Climatically, conditions are against the grocer, for many of his customers are harvesting home garden crops of fruit and vegetables while others are buying fresh produce from the greengrocer rather than canned goods from the grocer. In addition, most householders are husbanding their financial strength in anticipation of the taxgatherer’s and rate collector’s onslaughts. Reports from various quarters this month indicate that this February has been no exception to the general run. but grocers’ turnovers appear to be about on a par with last year’s. Overseas shipping is very quiet as the lack of import licences is now being felt. Merchants are receiving stocks of North Island canned goods from this year’s harvest: green peas, asparagus, sweet corn, tomato juice and green beans. Siam Rice.—Recent quotations for Siamese rice show a firming tendency. The trend has been brought about by poor crops in Asian countries Although Slam long grain rice

is popular in New Zealand, a similar grained rice is now being imported from the U.S.A and has met a favourable reception. Importers, faced with import control, may prefer the American rice if Siam prices should increase further.

Sweet Corn.—Towards the end of last year a shortage of sweet corn was evident, particularly in the whole variety. Corn sales have been Increasing ever since its introduction several years ago. but last year there was not sufficient canned to cope with the demand. Both cream and whole styles are now once again available in the city. Prices are steady and stacks are plentiful.

Cigarettes.—Encouraged by the success of Edinburgh cigarettes in plastic caskets over the last two Christmases, the Auckland manufacturers are now introducing a smaller pack. The innovation is a snap-pack type, holding 20 cigarettes to retail at 2s Bd. The cigarette market is still a highly competitive one. but some of the slower selling lines are withdrawn from time to time thus keeping the range within reasonable limits.

Shelled Peanuts. Generally the New Zealand market for ground nut kernels is supplied from South Africa and India, but a substantial reduction in price has been made in the Australian Virginia Branch variety. The reduction is £24 10s per ton. which has somewhat reduced the price disparity between Australian nuts and those from South Africa and India.