CAULIFLOWERS IN OVERSUPPLY

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 15, 12 October 1928, Page 9

CAULIFLOWERS IN OVERSUPPLY

UNCERTAINTY OF PRODUCE MARKET.

Dominion Special Service.

Dunedin. October 11

The cauliflower market in Dunedin has been glutted during the past few days, and an unprecedented drop in prices has taken place during the week. Prices have been declining steadily, and the bottom has now practically fallen out of the market. Cauliflowers which ordinarily would be sold at anything from 4s. Gd. to 12s. Gd. per sack according to their size are now bringing only Is. or Is. Gd. The market is absolutely glutted, and the wholesale merchants cannot dispose of them quickly enough. An exceptional number of cauliflowers were planted this season, and most of the growers have huge supplies on hand. The recent rains and winds have combined to bring them on with remarkable rapidity. This is a practical illustration of the uncertainty of the produce market, for had the climatic conditions been different the situation might have been reversed. A short time ago parsnips which were being disposed of at 6s. Gd. and 7s. Gd. per cwt. at normal times were unsaleable at 3s. 6d., and large quantities had to be thrown away.