AGRICULTURAL SEEDS

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30109, 18 April 1963, Page 14

AGRICULTURAL SEEDS

Slow Demand In Britain

In spite of better weather in Europe, spring cultivation has been hampered by heavy rain, and the demand for agricultural seed is thus still slow. However, trade in lawn-grass mixture has been more encouraging, says the London office of the Bank of New Zealand in its market report.

With a proportion of the estimated future requirements in New Zealand seed already covered, merchants see little point in committing themselves to further forward purchasing at this stage. Of greater immediate concern is the disposal of expensive spot stocks in the face of imminent arrivals of cheaper New Zealand new’ crop seed or of yearling seed at commensurate levels. White Clover.— There have been further sales at 425 s for mother and 405 s for P.P., JulyAugust shipment, but only one or two New Zealand shippers have been prepared to operate at these levels.

Montgomery Red Clover.— Offers for new crop for shipment later in the year have ranged up to 450 s for mother, but Isolated sales at 415 s have been recorded.

Perennial Ryegrass There Is little serious interest on this side, with only limited sales for prompt shipment at 105 s to 107 s 6d for mother and 100 s to 102 s 6d for P.P.

Italian Ryegrass.—After the withdrawal of Northern Irish there has been a steady inquirv for New Zealand seed. New Zealand mother at 122 s 6d and standard at 118 s 6d found a ready demand for prompt shipment, but supplies appear to be short ahd no further offers have been reported since the middle of March.

Maple Peas.—Because ot buyers’ resistance to the high prices ruling some offers from New Zealand have been slightly easier. Occasional offerings at 60s for April-May shipments have been taken up. Spot demand continued to be rather slow for the time of year and some of the ungraded peas from New Zealand last autumn can still be bought at from 58s to 60s ex store, according to sample.