FRUIT AND PRODUCE

Evening Star, Issue 18256, 21 April 1923, Page 13

FRUIT AND PRODUCE

Messrs Bray Bros, (of Dunedin), Ltd l ., report as follows for tho week:— There has been a fair demand for prime quality chaff, which ia soiling at £5 per ton. Medium quality is slow of sale, and fair stories are held. The oat market is steady. Growers aro still looking for bettor values, with tho result that there is little business passing. The demand from tho North Island has been quiet for this time of tire year, only odd lots passing through to tho North Island at 3s Sdpf.o.b., s.i., for A’s, and 5s 3d for B’s. Some of the lines coming to hand are mixed. The wheat market is now steady. The agreement between millers and the growers lias been ratified by tho Minister of Agriculture. The agreedon prices are 5s Id for Tuscan, 5s 3d for Hunters, and 5s 6d for Pearl, f.0.b., s.i., nearest port, with a monthly increment from June to October. Flour prices still remain as at present. Millers are now accepting wheat on the above-named basis. Threshing is still being carried on in the country. It is expected that this will bo completed on the Taieri in about a fortnight’s time. Tho fowl wheat market is purely local, as North Island trade is being drawn from Canterbury. Sales are being made at 4s Id a bushel, sacks extra, ex truck. Dunedin millers’ prices are as follow : —Flour, £ls Ids; bran, £5; pollard, £7 10s; oatmeal, £l7. Consignments of potatoes have eased off, and prices have firmed up to £8 a ton for prime lines. Whether the price will hold is_doubtful, as fairly largo quantities have still to come forward from Southland districts, and according to reports from Canterbury, there will bo a surplus in that district. Business has been fairly brisk in the fruit marts, the chief demand being for dessert apples, Delicious and Cox’s Orange in particular. Some fine samples ol cookers and desserts aro coming forward. ! Choice dessert pears have a good inquiry. Tomatoes have increased in value, supplies falling away. Quinces are now" coming forward freely, and a few peaches are still offering. Grapes are fairly plentiful. Island oranges aro coming forward more freely. A shipment of bananas is expected next week. Onions are in good supply, and tho market weak. There is a better demand for honey, and) choice bulk is selling at 6jd (101 b tins), and honoy squares are slow of .sale at reduced! prices. Beeswax is wanted. Tho egg market is keeping steady, guaranteed fresh eggs selling at 2s 3d, and preserved at Is 8d a dozen” Tho cheese market is keeping steady, and everything points to prices finning, as factories are not anxious to make ior the local market. Factory butter was reduced Id a lb during the week, and there is a good demand for dairy pats and milled butter. Hams and bacon are in good supply. The following prices were realised during the week:—

Fowl wheat, 4s 3d. Chaff.—Prime oaten, £5, Wheaton straw, £5 10s. Oaten, £5. Beeswax, Is 6d. Honey.—Sections, 12s dozen; bulk, 6-(d to 6^d; .)lb pats, 4s 6d dozen; 101 b tins, 6s. Butter.—Creamery pats, Is 9d; bulk, Is Gijd ; dairy and separator, Is 6d. Ohocse.— Mild, lid; matured', Is. Hitchon’s bacon, Is Id. Hams, Is 3d, Apples.—Cox’s Orange, 12s; Delicious, 13s to 14s 6d. Pears.—Bon Chretien, 3d. Bananas.—Ripe, 25a. Adelaide oranges, 30s. Italian lemons, 20a Tomatoes.—Cnristahsroh, first dessert, 9d. Potatoes,—Local, 8s cwt Onions, 7a Pickling onions, 9s. Poas, 4idi. French beans, 2d to 44 Broad beans, 2d. Butler beans, 4d. Marrows, 7s 6d' sack. Turnips, 2s 6d cwt Cabbage, 4s 6d_ Cauliflowers, 6s, Pigs.—Best porkers, 7d; baconers, 7^d; overweight, 4d. Dggs.—Stamped, 2s 3d; cased, 2s Id.