THE PRODUCE TRADE

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 160, 1 April 1939, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE PRODUCE TRADE

Onions And Potatoes Boom MORE EXPORTS EXPECTED Potato and onion cropping lias always been an exieliug means of gaining a livelihood. Growers are so very subject to weather, blights and diseases damaging their crop; or else to bumper crops all round "whacking" the market. Over the years they have more downs than ups. But when the ups come, they come on a grand scale and so it is this season for many. Small fortunes are being cleared. As one who has had a turn at the game, 1 grant they are deserved. When 1 exclaimed at the southern potato quotes the other morning a produce trader replied, "Dear? Whv, they're cheap compared to Sydney’s £2l a ton." And one bus to admit that is so. As for onions, they are having an even more exciting season than potatoes. In other lines trade may be termed normal, though perennial ryegrass seen is one exception and the slackened demand lor fertilizers is another. The prolonged dry spell has had a varying influence on almost, all phases of business, an influence that may continue in some sections for long after the spell has broken. Potatoes. It is gathered that no real shipments of potatoes were made in March. This was because no ripe potatoes were available. There is. however, a widespread belief that New Zealand supplies will get into Australia this season.. A wedge, having been driven in at the'thin end. can often be driven further. In the present state of hopefulness mingled with uncertainty, forward trade is at a standstill in the south. No market determination can be made for May-June delivery, as is usually seen at this season. Manawatu, Rangitikei and I’tikekohe supplies are now about cleaned out. Ohakune is digging but Auckland takes the bulk of this supply. So now Wellington city and the lower North Island are dependent upon Canterbury. About one-third of Ohakune’e crop is already dug and yields are reported as patchy. Canterbury has entered the market about two or three weeks ahead of the usual date, not because of the weather but because of the demand. .Shipments in March, to March 25, were already up to the total sent to the end of April last year, a total of 10,000 sacks having come north. This past week’s price for prompt shipment has been about £B/5/- a ton, f.o.b. There have been some complaints about “sweating” of sonic lines. What is now needed is some cooling rain or frost to “temper” the potatoes for shipment. Good rains in the soulli have benefited late crops on heavy ground but had no effect on light-country yields. By a strange coincidence Wellington province growers have missed the potato boom through being too early in many cases. Onions. Canterbury is offering at £l3/IJ/f.o.b. Pukekohe has just a normal supplying stock of about SOO-1000 tonj on hand. It is understood that close on 2000 tons were shipped to Sydney. Manawatu has been harvesting a record crop for both area and yield ; and of excellent quality. Crops of 12 to 15 tons are reported, pales have been made at about £l4/10/-. Here is a £2OO-an-acre return. The Makerua plain, formerly New Zealand’s greatest flax-growing area, is the centre for this crop. One grazier from there remarked to me at the Feilding eale that fatteners and dairy-farmers looked like being “driven out.” He ventured the opinion that this area would become "the garden ’ for M ellington city and all about this end of the North Island. At this juncture I would utter a warnin". Many may he tempted next season to°have a try at the easy money. Such get-rich-quick dreams seldom come true. As like as not. onions will be nearer £4 16/- than £l4/10/- 12 months hence. Don't estimate on £2OO an acre hut reckon up on a basis of £.*o to £OO an acte. Merchants now express the opinion that growers are getting price's that are too high and that some moderate decline is due. Some have been asking £l5 and £l6 a ton o.t. That means very dear onions to the housewife and reduced consumption would be expected. General Lines. Straw is quiet, with supplies in excess of demand. A current price in the Rangitikei is 35/- a ton o.t. to grow<rChaff has been sold by Rangitikei growers at £7 a ton 0.t.. chiefly to supply local trade. It is considered not worth this if supplies had to he railed to outside. distant centres. It is above southern parity. . Ilay is unehanged on last month, with little "current demand. Barley, Hawke’s Bay Cape, lias been returning growers 3/- a bushel. In reference to some recent comments on the price it is to be remarked that this is not of the same quality as the Australlinn Chevalier. Cape is not suitable for poultry feed, according to “tile trade. North Island wheat is all harvested. This has been of exceptional quality this year. There are now good inquiries for certified gumbuck seed for next sowing. Pollard is cheapening. This is chiefly because Australian mills have huge orders for flour to go to China. Mills are working three shifts in Sydney and pollard is plentiful. Doubtless, too. the breaking of the Australian drought will have caused a slackening local demand. A. reduction of 10/- a ton in linseed and meat meal prices is reported. • Poultry feeding demand is good and that for pig feed fair. Fertilizer Ordei;S. Indications are now very definite that the -demand for fertilizers is well below last season's. Specially is this so if account lie taken of reduced basic slag usage. This is being continued for the cancellation of orders for some sheep properties is reported. "I lie trend gives cause for grave concern. Autumn sowings of catch crop and ot pastures are held up by the dry weather. Croat activity is expected once rain comes.