Grocery Imports Now Scarce

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31681, 17 May 1968, Page 14

Grocery Imports Now Scarce

(From Our Grocery Reporter) This week there is little to report in the trade. Business is steady and there is a general lull in imports as most importers have used up their licence for this period. Most goods have been placed on order to arrive early in July. Such lines as salmon, sardines, herrings, and pineapple will be welcome when they arrive, because they are generally short

Coconut. — For some time coconut has been in short supply, although it was delicensed some months ago. The main causes have been lack of shipping from Ceylon and no supplies from the Philippines and Tonga. The Waitaki is due in Lyttelton this week from Ceylon with some coconut, but the major portion is believed to have been left in Ceylon. In Tonga the backlog of orders is expected to be cleared by the end of this

month but new orders are not being accepted in the meantime. Lentils.— Prices for lentils have been rising steeply for some time and indentors have been unable to place orders at reasonable prices. In some cases prices have almost doubled. Stocks arriving from now will be considerably dearer than they were late last year. Australian Pineapple.—Packers in Queensland are quoting prices for pineapples to be shipped from Brisbane about May 18. This shipment will help any importers who hold licences for this period and may relieve the present shortage. Australian Dried Apricots.—

The Co-operative Dried Fruita Sales Company has advised New Zealand buyers that they should take up their allocations promptly. Last year allocations of Australian dried fruits were necessary and earlier in the year importers were Informed of their quantities. Supplies are extremely short and the demand heavy. Importers who do not take prompt delivery are likely to have their grades substituted. Because of higher prices and devaluation Australian apricots are not cheap this year.

New Vinegar Pack.—A white vinegar, flavoured with natural lemon juice, is coming on the market under the D.Y.C. brand. It is in a lOoz bottle and the suggested retail price is 25c.