Produce scene Weather sends prices up

Press, 17 September 1976, Page 2

Produce scene Weather sends prices up

By

TERRY McGOVERNE

Persistently bad weather throughout New Zealand during the last three weeks has played havoc with spring planting and affected the supply of vegetables to the markets.

In Christchurch this week, the weather has led to a marked rise in the cost of some vegetables, notably carrots and greens, and even potatoes. Whereas last week potatoes had hit rock bottom of 80c a bag they were selling yesterday at $l2O to $1.40 a bag for Ham Hardies, and Chippeweas were bringing $2.50 for the best grades. This movement upwards in price may be the beginning of better things for growers, mainly as a result of the unstable weather. The supply of new potatoes from the North Island is not likely to be great this year; Pukekohe growers have also been beset by weather problems. This will give local markets the chance to sell main-crop potatoes for longer than usual and to get the decks clear by about Christmas. In any event, growers* representatives are adamant

that potatoes will not be dumped, even if there are plenty about when the new crop comes forward abundantly.

Those of last season’s main crop left unsold will be offered for stock food, and growers who have signed production agreements with the Potato Board will be paid for the unrequited portions of their crops.

Potatoes are the staple vegetable, the country consuming about 1800 tons a month.

Carrot prices yesterday took a sharp turn for the better, selling at $2 to $3.70 for 401 b bags, and parsnips were also firmer at about 8c to 13c per lb. Cabbages brought 80c to $1.20 a bag for drumheads, 60c to 80c a bag for savoys, SI.BO for springs, and $1.50 for reds. Swedes from Southland made 3c to 5c per lb.

There are still abundant supplies of carrots and parsnips about and there is little likelihood of yesterday’s higher prices being maintained for long. Once the sun. comes out and growers can get on their paddocks, greater supplies should come forward.

Pumpkins, leeks, broccoli, and yams have been the best sellers this week. Good pumpkins from Greenpark presented in first-class condition are now earning 20< to 25c per lb for their growers.

Leeks yesterday were worth as much as 12c each for well-filled samples. Sprouting broccoli made 40c to 50c per lb, and yams to 45c per lb. Not surprisingly, the demand for salad vegetables was unsure and buyers were able to get tomatoes for $7 to sl2 in cases of skg to 7kg. This is considerably less than the going rate a couple of weeks ago. Lettuce yesterday made from $1.90 to $3.40, which was about half the price last week; spring onions, parsley, and radishes were firm.

Silver beet brought $2 to $3.60 a case, spinach to 30c a bunch, and celery from 25c to 70c a stick. Cauliflowers have been firm all week, making $1.50 to $3.50 in bags of eight. Signs of fur and discoloration were apparent on the cauliflowers. North Island kumaras brought sl6 a case, and telegraph cucumbers 25c to 33c each.

Two container loads of Valencia oranges from Aus-

tralia were unloaded at one market yesterday, ending a lean time for that fruit. A good supply of New Zealand grapefruit is available and people who like to buy it by the case would be well advised to act now.

Retail prices

In Christchurch shops, yams retailed for from 55c to 90c per lb, parsnips from 15c to 20c per lb, potatoes from 5c to 10c per lb, carrots for 10c per lb, and swedes from 10c to 15c per lb. Pumpkins were selling for from 24c to 30c per lb, leeks from 20c to 45c per lb, broccoli from 59c to 70c per lb, cauliflowers from 30c to 55c each, kumaras from 48c to 69c per lb, and spinach from 45c to 49c a bunch.

Lettuces were selling for from 30c to 58c each, radish for 35c a bunch, spring onion for from 32c to 35c a bunch, parsley from 15c to 29c a bunch, silver beet from 20c to 29c per lb, celery from 30c to 89c a bunch, and cucumber from 79c to $1 each. Tomatoes retailed at 80c to $1.50 per lb, oranges for 43c and 44c per lb, and grapefruit for from 23c to 29c per lb.