Summer Trade Is Not Far Away

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30543, 11 September 1964, Page 15

Summer Trade Is Not Far Away

[By Our Grocery Reporter]

Now September is here grocers are thinking ahead to summer trading and realising, too, that Christmas is not so far away—only 105 days in fact.

Prospects seem good for the next three months and some grocers can expect record turn-overs. Imported foods are expected to be in short supply. Among these are dried and canned fruits and canned fish. However, perhaps the Government may shortly review imports of these lines. Supplies of locally produced and manufactured goods are ample and should meet good demand in the next few months. Canned peaches and apricots may be scarce, but supplies of peaches may be better than last year. Grocers are trying to stockpile some lines, supplied under token licences, so that they will have a few “perks” for customers at Christmas time. Cooking Fats. — Because of the increase in the cost of copra the price of coconut oil has risen affecting the price of vegetable fats. One that affects the home cook is Kremelta, which is available in 11b pats. The increase is about Id to about 2s Bd. Canadian Salmon.— This year has been a poor one for Canadian salmon, particularly for the most popular grades which are pink and sockeye. Japanese canners have a similar report. The pink catch was poor as forecast by experts several months ago. Sockeye also was a poor catch and .there is insufficient

to fill orders, the largest being from the United Kingdom which is a traditional market. However, some quantities will be available in New Zealand. Most New Zealand Importers book pink salmon so that their licences will go further. New season’s prices show an increase on last year's. Long Grain Rice.— The recent shortage of long grain rice in Christchurch has been relieved by the arrival of the “Speybank” from the east coast of North America. Merchants are again able to offer this line from their stock. Californian Dates. Some months ago a Californian pitted date was Introduced to the New Zealand market in a 12oz plastic pot. This met with a ready demand and further stocks have recently been landed. However, these show a slight price increase and will retail about 2s lOd. Soap Prices.— Lever Bros. (N.Z.), Ltd., has advised new prices for some of its products. Lux flakes will retail at Is lid —an Increase of 2d. Sunlight soap also has advanced 2d to 2s 4d. Surf economy is reduced in price by 4d to 4s lid. Australian Vine Fruits. Several weeks ago the Dried Vine Fruits Board withdrew all raisins from sale, creating a difficult position. Now, however, a small quota has been made available for the New Zealand market and agents are booking orders. Eno’s Fruit Salts.— Eno’s fruit salts, in the new ’’prestige’’ carton pack, still comes in the familiar bottle. In this column last week news of the new packs was interpreted, by some readers as meaning that Eno’s was now packed in a carton instead of a bottle.