CAULIFLOWER GLUT

Evening Star, Issue 19994, 11 October 1928, Page 5

CAULIFLOWER GLUT

RIDICULOUS PRICES [Special 10 tbe ‘ Siae.’] CHRISTCiJ UivCH, October 10. Because of tlio nor’-.’esters which have prevailed for several days, the cauliflower crop in and around Christchurch has ripened with unusual rapidity, and all at once, so that supplies in the markets have been more than ample, and at the auction sales the vegetables have been selling at ridiculous prices, fetching Cd a dozen to-day, and retailers are offering them ’ ver.v cheap at present, The bottom may bo said to have dropped out of the market, hut it is anticipated that most of the supply will have been exhausted in a week or so. and that cauliflowers thereafter will be comparatively scarce again. DUNEDIN MARKET AFFECTED. UNPR ECEDEXTED DROP IX PRICES. Tho cauliflower market in Dunedin has been similarly affected, and an unprecedented drop in prices has taken placo during the week. Prices have been declining steadily, and tho bottom has now practically fallen out of the market. Cauliflowers which ordinarily would be sold at anything from 4s Cd to 12s Cd per sack, according to their size, are now bringing only is or Is Cd. The market is absolutely glutted, the wholesale merchants cannot dispose of them quickly enough, and retail prices have been cut in half. An exceptional number of cauliflowers were planted this season, and most of tho growers have huge supplies on hand. Tho recent rams and winds have combined to bring them on with remarkable rapidity. This is a practical illustration of the uncertainty of the produce market, for had the climatic conditions been different the situation might have been reversed. A short time ago parsnips which were being disposed of at Cs Cd and 7s Cd per cwt at normal times were unsaleable at 3s Cd, and large quantities had to bo thrown away. As it is, tho produce merchants have been flooded with supplies of cauliflowers. Tho various auction rooms were scenes of feverish activity this morning, the vegetables being disposed of with great rapidity at - comparatively ridiculous prices, “Awful 1” groaned one auctioneer, in a pause between sales. “ It’s a jolly shame. We’re not selling cauliflowers—we’re simply giving them away.” It is understood that the various irstitutions will benefit, as several ef the produce firms are unable to dispose of their supplies.