Credit Squeeze May Help Trade

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30846, 3 September 1965, Page 19

Credit Squeeze May Help Trade

(By Our Grocery Reporter) Some grocers feel that the credit squeeze could be a help to trade and money that was being spent on other things might improve their takings.

Trading has been rather quiet in recent months and it has been suggested that this was partly because of the number of television sets being bought or hired.

The trade in Australia was reported to have suffered when television was introduced there.

Christchurch will be packed with visitors this week-end and this should give a boost to the food trade.

Processed Cheese.— The manufacturers of Chesdale processed cheese have found it necessary to increase the price of their 8 ounce packs and one ounce segments. This is because of the recent readjustment of prices by the Dairy Production and Marketing Board which supplies all cheese for processing. Because of the blending of remaining stocks with new cheese an increase of 2d a pack will be made and another increase is expected later. In future 8 ounce packs and rounds of six segments will retail at 2s 2d.

American Rice. — In recent weeks new freight rates have come into force. These are now affecting many products arriving in New Zealand. However, some rice producers in the United States have been able to decrease the price of new season’s rice and this has offset the 10 per cent freight increase.

Australian Dried Tree Fruits. —Australian tree fruits, such as dried apricots, are still slow in coming to hand and processing is well behind schedule. Shipping from Melbourne and Adelaide to the South Island has been erratic and supplies of these fruits are not the best.

Ceylon Tea.— Several weeks ago it was noted that prices on the Ceylon team .market had risen. Latest quotations indicate that prices are still up and there is no sign when they will come down. Canadian Salmon.— Final figures are not yet out for Canadian salmon but a recent survey indicates that most packs are likely to be light. Pink—perhaps the most popular seller on the New Zealand market —is less than half last year’s total pack with the season now almost completed. Last year 358,999 cases were packed up to August 4 against 183,809 this

year. Firm Sockeye prices have been announced and this pack is also light. Agents are suggesting that buyers should place orders promptly to avoid disappointment if orders are difficult to fill

Peanut Butter.— The makers of Betta peanut butter have found it necessary to increase the price. The new prices are: 4 ounce 2s 2d, 6 ounce 2s lOd, 8 ounce 3s sd, and 12 ounce 4s sd. These are increases of Id, 2d and 4d.

Rice Bubbles.—A blow to rice bubble fans is that Kellogs find it necessary to withdraw this line from the South Island market. This has been brought about by import licensing. Both 8 ounce and 12 ounce packs will not be available after orders placed on or before August 31 have been filled. Kellogs hope this will be only a temporary stoppage of supplies and that when stocks of rice are again available rice bubbles will be back on the South Island market.

Cordial Extracts.— Edmonds, Ltd., are introducing a cordial extract on the market under the name of Edmonds Tropic. It is an instant, whole-mixing extract similar to other varieties on the market. In a wide range of flavours, it will retail at 2s 3d a bottle. This line should find a place on the market if it is up to the usual Edmonds’ quality. Sponge Mix.— A new sponge pudding mix is now available in Christchurch. This is coconut flavoured with the new "self-saucing” technique. It is being manufactured by Edmonds White Wings, Ltd., of Christchurch, ; and is expected to retail at 2s lOd a pack.