Food-Price Rises Feature Of First Quarter

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31332, 31 March 1967, Page 14

Food-Price Rises Feature Of First Quarter

(By Our Grocery Reporter)

Many grocery manufacturers have now adjusted their prices, and these should not change between now and July.

Price changes were common in the first quarter of this year. These were caused mainly by decontrol, the removal of subsidies, and preparation for

decimal currency, which will be introduced in July.

Australian Apricots.—Earlier it was advised that no further orders could be taken for Aus-

tralian dried apricots, but now, when all orders on hand are sorted, a small surplus could be available. Australian dried apricots are the most popular on this market and for the last year or so they have not been readily available in all grades. Australian Dried Vine Fruits. —Earlier this year the marketing board for these fruits advised that the crop was far better than the previous year. This has been confirmed and

the tonnage available for export will be considerably higher. The industry should have no difficulty in meeting New Zealand buyers’ total requirements. The drying period to date has been most satisfactory and because of this the grades available will be higher. Sultanas will be 4, 5, and 6 crown grades, and currants 4 and 5 crown grades.

Milk.—Cartoned milk has appeared in Christchurch. Many flavours, such as strawberry and chocolate, are available in the Boz carton, which sells for 6d. Many improvements have been made in the production of milk, especially overseas, and milk in cartons has been sold for some time by grocers in the United Kingdom and North America.

Butter Beans.—T. J. Edmonds, Ltd., has added a butter beans line, called Sweet Seven, to its range. As the name implies, the beans take seven minutes to cook and the pack will sell at 2s Bd. Canned butter beans have proved popular, and occasionally have been scarce.