Trade Preparing For Stocktaking

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30395, 20 March 1964, Page 14

Trade Preparing For Stocktaking

[B# Out Grocery Correspondent! This month is the end of the financial year for most in the grocery trade and it is time, too, to prepare for stocktaking, so buying is at a minimum to keep stocks down. ’ - s ' • M .'- .4 4 '

Even stocktaking hasiibori cuts these days: most grocers i work out stocks at retail ] prices and then take off the. < discount. 4 ' 1 This saves having to coat ' each item, but ft is still a 1 lengthy business and has a ' tendency * to ’ slow down * regular trade. £ : The rush of price rises has steadied and only a few are now coming to Hand. Ullves.—There has been a

Sharp drop in the’ price of olives. This means alt olive products Will be cheaper. Olive oil has . already been quoted at lower prices. However, there is likely to be little market reaction in New Zealand for some time. 1 Dried Fruits,— a bulletin .on «lian dried vine fruits has sen released. Sultanas are expected to run in mainly 5 crown and 4 crown,, but mostly 5 crown. Only a limited quantity of 6 crown will be. available and it is doubtful if there will be any 3 crown or lower grades. Currants will be mainly 3 crown, with some 2 crown available, while 4 crown are expected to be scarce.

Seeded Raisins.—The harvesting of seeded raisins is not yet complete, but, it is hoped that orders for all sizes will be met. Stocks of currants, sultanas, and seeded raisins are now coming to hand. Advice has been received that all vine fruit prices have advanced on last season by approximately 74 per cent.

nine ot new*lesson's .fruits is well under Way. . Allocations have already been made for delivery to distributors, particularly peaches and fnllt salads. So far there has been :«o indication whether orders 7 mil be completed in full, it is thought that this could be possible as the crop was in excellent condition several weeks ago. However, this 'is the crucial, time and inclement weather could have diltastrous results while picking and canning are in progress. As reported earlier all canned fruit prices have advanced. Mew Season's Prunes.—Quotations are now out for Australian prunes and there are no increases on last year's prices. Most of the usual grades are once again available. Seven pound tins are being quoted and this perhaps is one of the most popular lines on the New Zealand market. Most packet prunes come from California. Dried Apricots.—For the last few weeks some varieties of apricots have been in short supply and distributors have been awaiting the arrival of the new season's crop from Australia. These are now to hand and merchants are awaiting delivery from the railways.

Auto and General.—Automotive and General Industries, Ltd., Melbourne, report that profits for the halfyear ended December 31 were at a lower level than the corresponding period of the previous year.—(P.A.)