POTATOES & ONIONS

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 90, 12 October 1940, Page 13

POTATOES & ONIONS

EXPORT AND HOME TRADE

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, October 11

Tenders which the Government invited on Thursday for the supply of 700 tons of white potatoes for shipment from Lyttelton to Australia towards tlie end of this month closed this afternoon. Merchants were doubtful whether the quantity sought could be obtained and the opinion was. expressed that if Dakotas were definitely excluded the Government might find it necessary to increase the quota of 300 tons sought in South Canterbury. It was stated that more reds than whites are grown in North Canterbury because reds are a better keeping potato but that South Canterbury is more suited to the growing of whites. Dakotas were included in shipments to Australia under the earlier export arrangement, but there was not the same demand for them as for whites. New Zealand whiteskms. according to the latest report, are bringing £13 10s and Dakotas only & \i a ton. . There are still'thousands of tons or potatoes available in Canterbury, and it would be helpful to growers if. the Minister of Marketing would make a statement about the prospects for further export. It has been reported that South Canterbury growers are receiving £2 10s a ton for the potatoes they sell for export, but Christchurch merchants .said yesterday that this price would be sacks in, sacks being worth approximately 10s. Prices in Christchurch show no change. It has been decided that for the first time on record no onions will be imported into New Zealand this year. Onion imports have been costing from £30,000 to £40,000 a year, but growers in the Dominion are being encouraged to grow the harder keeping varieties so that imports will not be necessary. The quotation to growers now is £9 to £10 a ton.

There has been a slightly better tone in the seeds market in the last week or two due to some lines being sold for export, but there is no great volume of business and little movement in prices. Only an odd inquiry is being received for chaff, which remains nominally at £5 a ton.