POTATO POSITION

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 81, 3 October 1938, Page 12

POTATO POSITION

BUSINESS NEGLIGIBLE

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, October 1

In the opinion of a merchant who has been in the trade for many years, the present season in the Canterbury grain and produce markets has. been the quietest for a very long time. This is due largely, of course, to dullness in the potato market, which has been a big disappointment all through, chiefly because it was not found possible to export potatoes in any large quantities. The estimated acreage of potatoes this year was 21,700. The total of 21,700 is just slightly less than the total for last season, 22,462. Although no' accurate estimate of yield can be given at this stage, it is not thought'likely that it will be greater than last.season's. The chief difference between the two seasons is that 23,000 tons were exported last season and only -about 3600 tons have been sent away this season, .including the. shipment now being, loaded at Lyttelton for Montevideo.

Merchants reported today that all the potato markets which Canterbury uses as outlets were over-supplied and that business was negligible. Some supplies, it was stated, had been sent to Wellington, from Blenheim. Reports from the country indicate that a certain amount of this season's crop will not even be dug, and that other crops that are. now, in pits will not be bagged. '. Some growers are turning their crops over with the plough and putting stock in to feed. Quotations in the Christchurch markets are nominal at £2.- 10s to £3 ss. The other markets1 are featureless. ' ' j