FRUIT AND PRODUCE

Evening Star, Issue 22578, 20 February 1937, Page 12

FRUIT AND PRODUCE

Bray Bros. Ltd. (Dunedin) report as follows for week ending to-day Offerings of new season’s wheat from it, fvvimtrv are on tho increase, millers are taking the opportunity of Slines to mix with old wheat. The samples are of good quahty, a it is gratifying to see this after the experience fff last year when nearly »ll P the wheat was of indifferent quality. The break in the weather will, no doubt, stop wheat and as far as . Otago is^concerned, further delay harvesting. Crops on the southern area -will not be available for some “eeC and a spell of good weather is badly needed. The fowl wheat market is unchanged, and merchants are at present from hand to mouth. Present values are 5s 3d to 5s 6d, sacxs extra, ex store, Dunedm. Wholesale prices are as follow TTlnur * 200’e £l3 15s 6d; 100’s, £l4 li 17. 6d; 25’s £ls 7s Bran, £5 5s per ton. Pollard, £6 15s per ton. Oatmeal, 2001 b sacks, £22; 2o’s, £24. The oat market shows no change. In.,the meantime quotationsareSs 8d f.0.b., sacks in, for A grade, and 3s 6d for B grade, these prices being equivalent to 3s, sacks extra, on truck at country sidings for the former, and 2s 9d for the latter. The chaff market remains unchanged and the demand is very light. Supplies are being drawn as required from Canterbury, and present values are from £5 to £5 5s per ton, sacks extra, ex store. Supplies of local-grown potatoes are increasing, and there appears to be a general anxiety on the part of growers to lift crops, . which are ready, owing to the presence of blight, the present price is £6 per ton, sacks ip, but sales are on the small side, and distributors are buying from hand to mouth. On account of the break in the weather, only a few samples of new season’s seeds have,, up to the present, appeared on the local market. Indications are that cocksfoot is light in weight, and also contains a larger quantity than usual of other seed, which ■ will make the cost of dressing fairly heavy. Ryegrass samples are also later than usual, and germination tests have not been satisfactory. Although no prices were quoted earlier, there is now a firmer feeling in the market. Other seeds remain unchanged. Most of the fescue crop has been cut, but up to the present has not opened. FRUIT REPORT. Business in the fruit marts has been quiet during the week, owing to the continued cold and wet weather. SupJ)lies of apples are increasing, particuarly from northern districts. Gravensteins, Worcester Pearmain, and Cox’s Orange are the varieties coming to hand. Bonehretien pears are now coming forward, and the quality is good. Apricots have been offering freely at low rates, but too many lines are still arriving in too green a state for the local market. It has been the experience of retailers that this fruit will not ripen in the case.‘-It is this factor that has caused the apricot market to come hack almost 50 per cent , during'"the past week. The season is almost finished, and an advance in price may be expected early. There. is a firm .inquiry for choice quality dessert peaches. Nectarines are offering in small lots only. . Jam plums are plentiful, and there is a good demand for choice dessert quality. , , English greengages are in good demand. Supplies of tomatoes have been erratic, and prices have been_ fluctuating from day to day. There is a good demand for choice quality hothousegrown, but inferior grades of outsidegrown are going off at low rates. Reports from Canterbury state that out-side-grown tomatoes are unlikely to be in heavy supply this season, as the inclement weather during the past few months has caused many crops to be a complete failure. Very few Nelson tomatoes are coming forward on account of the better prices ruling in Wellington and the fact that transport to that town is about half what it is to Dunedin. The next shipment of Samoan bananas by the Maui Pomare will be the first under the new Government system of control. Up to the present merchants have had no particulars- as to the quantity likely to be allotted to the local market, hut it is expected that large, supplies will come forward by the Maui Pomare, while those ex the Matua will be cut down. Should this be the case,, dealers will not complain, as the Maui Pomare’s shipments open up in prime condition, while the Matua’s fruit, through having to be handled so frequently before it reaches the local market, is frequently of poor quality. The market has been bare of oranges, but a fresh shipment of Jamaicanfrown are due to reach Dunedin to-day y the Waimarino, transhipped ex the Rongitiki at Auckland. American and New Zealand lemons are in good supply. Choice green peas are in good demand, but lines affected by the weather are difficult to place. Lettuce are in over-supply, and French and runner beans aro also plentiful. Vegetable marrows are offering freely. Cabbages and cauliflowers continue to realise high prices. Other vegetables are in fair- supply, with a normal demand ruling. The egg market remains firm. There is good inquiry for honey and also dairy' butter. Cheese sales are erratic. —Bushel, and American Cases.—■ Ripe bananas, 22s 6d to 255. Lemons.—New Zealand, 18s to 20s; Californian, 655. Peaches.—Dessert, 4s to 5s 6d; jam, 3s to4s. Apricots.—Dessert, 4s to ss; jam, 3s to 4s. Plums.—Dessert, 4s to ss; jam, 2s 6d to 3s 6d. Nectarines, 4s 6d to 6s.

—Per Dozen.— Cucumbers.—Hothouse, wanted, 5s 6d to 7s 6d. Lettuce, Is to Is 6d; others lOd to Is. Spinach, Is to Is 6d. Section honey, 10s. —Per Sack.—- « Cabbages, 5s to 6s. ’ Parsnips, Is dozen. Carrots, Is to Is 6d. —Per lb.— Plums.—Purple Kings, 6d; dessert. 4d to s£d. Peaches, 4d to sd. Apricots, 4d to sd. Nectarines, 4id to sid. Local potatoes. 6s to 7s cwt. Peas, 2d to 3d. Tomatoes.—Local, lOd to Is; Christchurch, 6s to Bd. Gold Medal Bacon.—Shoulder rolls, Is OJd; long. Is Id; equal, Is Id. Bulk honey, 6d. Beeswax, is 2d. Butter.—Prints, Is lid; bulk, 561 b, Is lid; bulk, 28 and 141 b, Is lid. Cheese. 7d to 7}d. Eggs, market rates. Honey, 101 b tins, ss.