Effects Of Higher Sugar Price Awaited

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30093, 29 March 1963, Page 14

Effects Of Higher Sugar Price Awaited

(From Our Grocery CorretponUent)

Last week-end a Id per lb rise in the retail price of sugar was announced. This was occasioned by an £8 a ton rise in the bulk price of raw sugar,’ which followed a smaller rise aartiwr in the year. The London wholesale price for raw sugar rose 45s a ton on March 28 to £B2 a ton, compared with less than £2O a ton 12 months ago, and with £26 a ton only six months ago. The price is now within a few pounds of the record level reached in the Korean war in 1951 and shows no signs of easing.

The toatp fluctuations at wortd prices for this com* modify are not immedietefy reflected on the New Zealand market, tout the New Zealand ooneumer is * not teniH—t against aB price ctanflea. The rise in the London wholesale price over the lest six mouths is equivalent to 4d per Jto, and further increases in the New Zealand price are not unlikely. New Zealand manufacturers cd products with a haiA sugar content, such as instant puddings, jellies and cordials, will no doubt pass on the increase before long. The housewife can be thankful that her bottling season, with its heavy sugar requirements, is over. Trade in groceries has been quiet this week, as is usual in the last week before March 31 stocktaking. There seems to be a better demand at retail level, however, and retailers are expecting a buoyant April. Australian Dries Vine Fruita. —According to recent reports from the- Australian Dried Fruits Control Board, prospects are excellent for the 1963 sultana pack. Good drying conditions are being experienced, and it is expected that the tonnage of sultanas below six crown and five crown grades will be negligible. Many orders held by the board are for four crown, and they will now be substituting with five crown, as no four crown are expected to be available for export. With currants, however, only three crown and two crown will be available as four crown are in short supply. As far as seeded raisins are concerned, no difficulty Is anticipated in meeting buyers' full requirements. New Liquid Detergent Pack. —According to advice from Lever Bros. (New Zealand), Ltd., they are now Introducing the family size in Lux Liquid. Following up the success With their other sizes this new family pack will give the consumer a range of three to choose from. The suggested consumer price for this new family size is 6s lid. Prune Prices.— New season’s prices have now been declared for Australian prunes. Most of the usual grades are being quoted, and these range from 30/40’s to 100/120’s. The latter count is a very small one, and is being quoted in a 71b moistpack tin. Quotations are the same as last season's. Most of the New Zealand prunes are being bought on the Californian market, particularly pre-packs of tenderised prunes. However, the Australian 7lb moist-pack tins are popular with many grocers. Minute Tapioca.—Because of Increases in the prices of raw materials, such as sugar and tapioca, the local manufacturers of Simco Minute Tapioca Dessert have increased the price of their product to Is Sd a packet, which is an increase of 2d. South African Ground Nuts.— A report from South Africa states that the peanut crop had been severely reduced by drought. It is thought that one effect will be smaller kernels such as 70/80’s instead of 60/ 70’s. Limited quantities of the former grade are expected to be available in May. Buyers are asked to place orders, subject to price confirmation: the price could possibly be higher than last season.