School Holidays Quiet For Trade

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30531, 28 August 1964, Page 16

School Holidays Quiet For Trade

IBu Our Grocery Reporter) . School holidays are here again and this is usually a quiet time for grocers. One reason for tliis is that cuf lunches can be forgotten for a week or two.

Apart from a few cold spells, this winter has been rather mild and consequently the demand for winter foods has not been so great Honey Bear.—Several months ago a local packer put bn the market a plastic teddy-bear : shaped container filled with honey. This was instantly popular and now further supplies are on hand. These should be released next month and will sell at 2s 10}d each.

Canned Pineapple.—Recent reports from South Africa say that adverse conditions could possibly affect pineapple crops Swaziland also has experienced severe cold weather and could also have crop damage. At the present, howeyer. they are able to confirm orders if placed promptly. It is interesting to note that Swaziland pineapple, through good quality and price, has been gaining on the New Zealand market. . ■

Canned Peaches.—A small quantity of peach chunks will be available for distribution. This line has been tn short supply and because of its price is always popular. These peach chunks should sell for about 2s 4d a 16oz can.

Coconut.—Last week it was reported that Tonga was having production trouble and had a time lag for dispensing orders. A fourth drier is now operating

and the back-log of orders for delivery during July, August and September should be caught up by October. From then on a better service is expected. Oates. —Recently some distributors were quoting prices for Iranian dates. These dates were based on a 400 s a ton freight rate. This however, proved incorrect and the new freight rate is 430 s a ton —a difference of Is 9d a hundredweight. Hnwever, if there is any further variation in freight rates, this will be adjusted.

Fruit Juices.—Last year a sugarless grapefruit Juice was introduced to the market, followed by an orange juice. A one-and-a-half pint can has been added to this range and will be available in both fruit juices. The orange should retail for 4s Id and grapefruit at 3s 9d. Self-Raising Flour.—D. H. Brown and Son, Ltd., is producing a new brand of self-raising flour. This Is a particularly high grade of flour and will be marketed under the brand of "Millers Pride.” It will be In a 21b packet and should retail for Is lOd. Self-raising flours are becoming more popular and it is believed that eventually they will be used almost solely as in other countries.