FRUIT MARKETS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 112, 13 May 1937, Page 12

FRUIT MARKETS

CONDITION OF PRODUCE

The Director of the Horticultural Division of the' Department of Agriculture has received the following reports from the fruit inspectors on the condition of locally-grown fruit and vegetables in shops and auction rooms and the market conditions for the month of April,' 1037: — Wellington: Apples were in good supply and arrived in good condition. Very few extra fancy or fancy lines were received, the majority being lacking in colour and generally blemished. Pears were also in good supply and m sound condition. Quinces were in-short supply and Consequently high values were realised. Peaches were . more numerous than previously; the fruit, although in ' sound condition, was rather immature. Lemons were in failsupply only and in good condition: The bulk of the fruit received consisted of low grade. Fair supplies of vegetables were .received. The following is a list of prices realised:—Apples, Cox's Orange 6s 6d to 9s per case, Jonathan 4s to 5s 6d, Delicious 4s to ss, Baiiarat 5s to 7s, Stunners ss, Dunns 3s to 4s, Granny Smith 6s to Bs, London Pippin 4s, Reinette dv Canada. 3s to 4s, Spitzenburg 3s to 3s 6d, Adams Pearmam 3s to 3s 6d; pears, Winter Coles 8s to 12s per. standard case, Keiffere 9s to 12s, P. Barry 7s to 9s; peaches, 4s 6d to 5s 6d per half-case;- quinces, 12s to 16s per case; passion fruit, 7s to lis per half-case; tomatoes, 2s 6d to 4s per case; grapes, ls 6d to 2s lOd per lb; cabbage, 6d to 2s per case; cauliflowers, 2s 6d to 6s; potatoes, 6s 6d to 7s per cwt; onions, 7s to 9s per bag; rieas, 4s to 8s per part bag; beans, 4s per half-case, 15s per banana case; beetroot, ls to 2s per case; Parsmps, 2s 6d to ss; lettuce, 6s to 9s, with a few sales at 12s to 20s per case. Christchurch.-Vegetables: I have to advise that ample supplies of vegetables have been available to meet aU requirements. Apples: Steady supplies of apples are coming forward, toxs Orange, however, are becoming scarce and- prices are firming considerably for this variety. Delicious and' Jonathan are also holding firm, while cooking varieties are more reasonable, me quality of fruit offering is fairly satisfactory, but there is a constant demand for really high quality fruit of extra fancy standard, if available. Pears: There is a comparative shortage ot pears this season, and this is being reflected in price realisation already. Any pears of satisfactory quality, are returning quite firm prices, and the prospects are good for cool-stored fruit later on in the season. New Zealand lemons:' Fairly steady supplies of lemons have been offering and consignments of good quality have sold well at satisfactory prices to growers. Tomatoes'. Owing to the temporary improvement in the weather conditions earlier in the month, considerable imorovertient in supplies occurred and prices became more reasonable. Peaches: A few peaches were available early in the month, but supplies are now finished. Any available supplies were firm in .price. Grapes: Good steady supplies were coming forward earlier in the month, but became scarce towards "the end of the month. Firm prices have been realised for quality consignments. New Zealand passionfruit: Good supplies coming' to handlater in the month. '

The following is a list of prices realised: —Vegetables:—Cauliflowers, 2s to 5s per doz. according to quality' cabbage, ls to 4s per doz.; lettuce, Ti to 3s 2d; Celery, 2s to 7s 9d; root varieties, 6d to Is 3d per doz. bundles; pucumbers (hothouse), s£d to Bid per lb, outside, 3s 6d to 9s per case; onions, 2s 6d to 3s per sugar bag; potatoes, 2s to 2s 6d;.green peas, Is 6d to 2s 6d per peck; beans, 3Jd to Bsd per lb. Apples: Cox's Orange, 7s 6d to lis 6d per case; Jonathan, 5s 6d to 7s; Delicious, 5s 6d to 7s 6d; Lord Wolseley, 4s 6d to 5s 6d; cookers (various), 3s Gd to 4s 6d. Pears: Dessert varieties, 3s 6d to 5s per half-case; cooking varieties, 2s 6d to 3s 6d. Lemons: Choice cured. 12s to 16s 6d per case. Tomatoes: Hothouse, 3id to 7id per lb; outside, Id to 4id. Peaches: 5s to 6s per case. Grapes: ls to 2s 3d per lb. Strawberries: 8d to Is 8d per punnet. Passion fruit: Up to 10s 9d per box.

Invercargili.—Apples have been arriving in large quantities during the month. Better quality fruit has sold readily at good prices; pears are also in good supply and are meeting a steady demand for ripe or ripening fruit. New Zealand lemons are iri short supply. Vegetables are in good supply with prices only moderate. Current prices are:—Apples: . Cox's Orange, best 9s to lis 6d per case, others 5s to 7s 6d; Delicious, best 7s to 9s, others, 4s to 6s 6d; Cleopatra, 5s 6d; Dunns, 5s 6d; cookers, 4s to ss. Pears: Winter Nelis, 5s to 6s 6d per halfcase; Winter Nelis, '4s to 5s 6d; other varieties, 2s 6d to 3s 6d. Peaches: 2s 6d to 5s per box. New Zealand lemons, 18s per case. Tomatoes: First grade, 4d to 6d per lb, others lid to 3d. Cauliflowers, 2s to 6s 6d per doz. Cabbage: Is to 4s.' Lettuce: ls to Is 6d. Swedes:'ls 3d per sugar bag. Carrots: IJd per lb. Parsnips: lid. Marrows: lid. Pumpkins: lid. Potatoes: 8s per cwt. Onions: Bs"per cental.