RAIN AFFECTS VEGETABLES

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32660, 16 July 1971, Page 6

RAIN AFFECTS VEGETABLES

Because of continuous wet weather which has interfered with harvesting, vegetable supplies are restricted on the Christchurch markets this week.

In some vegetables the quality has been affected by the rain. This week’s best buys are

brussels sprouts, clean quality retailing at 15c to 19c per lb, and carrots, retailing at 5c to 10c per lb. The best fruit buys are Australian navel oranges, which are available now and will be replenished by two fresh shipments next week, and Island and Ecuadorian bananas. New potatoes from the North Island dropped 8c per lb in their second week on the market, and they are now retelling at 15c per lb. Old potato prices are also down slightly at 8c to 10c per lb. Only a moderate supply of cabbage is available, and prices have risen accordingly, 23c to 29c each (retail). The cauliflower in the shops is of mixed quality with some good quality available at 20c to 35c each. Silver beet has firmed to 15c per lb as has celery, which is meeting an increased demand at 15c to 25c a head. Parsnips are very scarce, retailing at 10c to 14c per lb. Hothouse cucumber is i also very scarce at $3.40 a small case (wholesale), and hothouse spinach is retailing to 29<; a bunch. Pumpkin is retailing at 6c to 9c per lb.. Best dessert grapefruit are fetching up to 23c per lb in the shops. Clementine mandarins are selling up to 45c per lb, according to quality and size. Apple supplies are very plentiful at present.

Two varieties of lemons are available at 25c to 35c per lb and tamarillos are retailing at 15c to 25c per lb.