Bottling Season Begins Soon

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31232, 2 December 1966, Page 17

Bottling Season Begins Soon

(By

Our Grocery Reporter)

The bottling season begins within the next few days and soon berry fruits will be available and in good quantities.

Only 16 shopping days remain until Christmas, but some reports show that shopping has not yet begun in earnest, perhaps because of the recent indifferent weather.

Pineapples.— A shipment of Raro crushed pineapple arrived in Christchurch a few days ago, relieving a shortage. This pineapple will sell for Is 9d a 14oz can.

Fruit Juice.— The New Zealand Apple and Pe«r Marketing Board is to introduce a mini drink in a 6oz can. Some packs will contain a dozen cans and be known as a “shrink” pack. The suggested retail price will be Is and stocks should be ready e«rly next year. The most popular blend will be apple and orange juice. New Season’s Figs.— Smyrna new season’s figs have arrived in New Zealand on the Tarifa which will be in Lyttelton in the middle of December. These will be railed from Auckland however, in time for Christmas trading. Prices have risen sharply this year and the Boz packs will sell for about Is 4d each. However, figs are still one of the cheaper fruits. Norwegian Fish.— Last July new season's quoted prices were slightly higher for Norwegian Sild and Brisling Sardines. Now new quotations show a sharp increase because of higher raw material costs, higher wages

and the recent increase in shipping freight rates. The price rise and the cut in import licences will mean less fish for New Zealand.

Coconut.— New Tongan prices have been operating from November 15 and are slightly cheaper than previous quotations. They are also slightly cheaper than Philippine prices which ape generally competitive. Because of erratic shipping, buyers are avoiding the Ceylonese market. The Matua is scheduled to load from Tonga early this month and should arrive at Lyttelton about the middle of December.