MARKET CONDITIONS

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 86, 8 October 1935, Page 12

MARKET CONDITIONS

' FRUIT AND VEGETABLES

The Director of the Horticultural Division of the Department of Agriculture has received the following report from the inspectors on the condition of the locally-grown fruit and vegetables in' the auction rooms and shops in Wellington and the market conditions for the month of September:—■ . Apples, which were in short supply, were of only medium quality, and consisted mostly of large sizes. The condition of the fruit generally was poor, repacking not having been carried out. Pears -were in fair supply and of reasonably good quality. A good supply of lemons was available and, while some very nice lines were marketed, quite a fair quantity of inferior fruit was received. New Zealand sweet oranges and grapefruit were in fair supply, and some very well coloured fruit was received.

Spring cabbage and cauliflowers ,were in good .supply, and rhubarb is now becoming more plentiful. Green peas and new potatoes have made their appearance on the markets, but only in limited supplies. Onions and old potatoes have been scarce, and consequently high prices have been ruling in the case of potatoes at the end of the period. Small lots of asparagus were marketed and met with ready sales.

The following is a fair average of prices realised:—Apples, Stunner, 6s to 9s per case; Delicious, 6s to 10s; Washington, 8s to 11s; Granny Smith, 10s; Frimley Beauty, 8s to 8s 6d. Pears, P. Barry, 7s to 8s per three-quarter case; Winter Coles, 6s 6d to 7s 6d; Winter Nelis, 5s 6d to 6s 6d. Lemons, 5s to 7s per case. New Zealand oranges, 8s to 9s; grapefruit, 6s to 11s. Potatoes, new, 3d to 4Jd per lb; old, 11s to 12s per cwt, with recent sales up to 17s 6d; onions, 20s to 24s per gunny bag; green peas, 6Jd to Is Id per lb; cabbage, 2s 6d to 5s per case; cauliflowers, 10s to 16s per sack; asparagus, Is 3d to Is 6d per bunch; beetroot, Is to Is 6d per case; rhubarb, 5s to 12s per dozen bunches; turnips, Is 6d to 2s; lettuce, choice, 8s to 14s per case, others, 3s to 6s; pumpkins, 5s to 7s per sack; spinach, according to quality, 2s to 3s per case and 9s to 18s.