PRODUCE MARKETS

Evening Star, Issue 23189, 11 February 1939, Page 12

PRODUCE MARKETS

WHEAT PRICE ANNOUNCED BUSY WEEK IK FRUIT Messrs Bray Bros, report as follows for the week ending to-day:—’ The fixed price for the season’s wheat has been announced by the Wheat Committee on a basis of 5s fid, f.0.b., grower’s nearest port, for Tuscan, with 2d a bushel higher for Hunters, and another 2d higher for velvet. There will be the usual advances during the winter months. According to the Marketing Department, the price for the 1939-40 wheat crop has been fixed on a basis of 5s 9d for Tuscan, f.o.b. It was stated, in making this announcement, that this price was equivalent to the present season’s fixed prices. In view -of this announcement, it is thought that the 5s fid now to be paid for Tuscan will be only a partial payment, and that a bonus of 3d a bushel will be available at the end of the season. The fowl wheat market is unchanged. Tin current value for best quality is 7s per bushel (sacks extra), ex store. Wholesale prices are as follows: Flour: 200’s, £l3 los fid; 100’s, £l4 12s fid; 50’s, £l4 17s fid: 25’s, £ls 7s fid. Bran; £5 5s a ton. Pollard: £6 15s a ton.' Oatmeal: 2001 b sacks, £l9 a ton; 25’s. £2O a ton. Little interest is being displayed in the oat market. Stocks of chaff are not over-plentiful, but the is limited, and merchants are drawing most 1 of their supplies from Canterbury. The present value is for best quality, £6 10s a ton (sacks extra), ex store. Potatoes are in heavy supply, the dry weather enabling growers to dig their tubers. The ruling price is £7 to £7 10s a ton. The future of the seeds market is uncertain. At one stage it was thought that there would be ample stocks of all seeds, but the wet weather conditions upset calculations. The position as regards ryegrass is somewhat acute, as a fungus disease has attacked most of the crops. , The harvesting of fescue has been later than usual, and some of the crops have been cut on the green side. Jt is expected, however, that the bulk or the seed will be in good order. It is estimated that the crop of fescue will be 800 to 900 tons this year, as compared with 400 tons last year. It is reported that the cocksfoot crop in Akaroa and Ashburton is going to be one of the best for manv years. The first samples are of splendid colour and weight. The crested dogstail seed crop in Southland appears to be up to the usual standard, but it is too early yet to state what will be the position as regards white clover and cowgrass. FRUIT AND VEGETABLES. A busy week has been experienced in the fruit marts, and the season is now at its peak. Dull weather was experienced early in the week,, and prices were steadier than those ruling at the week-end. Consignments of apples are reaching the market, mainly from the Nelson district. There is a good demand for Hale s variety of peaches, which are now in full supply, but there is not such a keen demand for the Wiggins and Triumph, varieties, although these are offering freely. Apricots are increasing in supply, hut the Moorpark variety is a little backward. Prices for Reds are on the low side. Raspberries are still on offer in small lots, but the season is just about finished. Bananas are in short supply. The next shipment is due on February 13, transhipped ex the Maui Pomaro at Lyttelton. Larger supplies of tomatoes are now coming to hand and prices are lower. Nelson tomatoes are in better condition than those usually coming from that district. There is good demand for nectarines. Plums are in heavy supply, with low prices ruling. Satsumas have a ready sale.. Bonchretien pears are now arriving from the Central Otago district. There is good inquiry for greengages. Cauliflowers are in short supply. Supplies of cabbages are fair and prices are quite good. There .is a ready market for sound quality peas. French and runner beans are in good demand, but broad beans are low in price. There is a sound inquiry for choice quality lettuce. The egg market is firm. There is good inquiry for cheese and dairy-packed butter, but honey is slow of sale. -e Wholesale prices are as follows: — Apples, 6s to 8s a case; lemons, New Zealand. 15s to 20s case; bananas. 22s fid to 25s case; tomatoes—Christchurch hothouse 4d to fid lb, local fid to 9(1 lb; peaches, Is fid to 3s fid case; apricots, 2S to 3s ease; plums, cooking. 2s to 3s fid case; nectarines, 3s fid to 4s fid case; greengages, 6s to 9s case; peaches_

(crates), 2d to 3d lb; apricots (crates), 2d to 3d lb; plums, dessert (crates), 2d to 3d lb; nectarines (crates), 4d to 4}lb; carrots, Is 3d to Is fid dozen; broad beans, lid to 2d lb; French beans, 5d to fid; peas, 3d to 5d lb; cabbages, 2s fid to 4s fid bag; cauliflowers, 6s to 10s bag. .

' FOREIGN EXCHANGES V ON NEW ZEALAND CURRENCY BASIS The Bank of New South Wales, Dunedin, quoted the following rates for purchase and sales of foreign exchange (all rates subject to alteration without notice):—

STERLING EXCHANGE Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, February 10. (Recevied February 11, at 1 p.m.)’ Sterling exchange, London on New York, 4.68}. February 9 .... 4.68 13-16 February 8 4.68} February 7 4.68 11-16 February 6 4.68} February 2 ... ... ... 4.67} February 1 ...* 4.67} January 31 4.68} January 30 ... 4.67}January 23 4.67} January 16 4.67} January 9 ... 4.67} January 2 ... 4.63} November 1 ... 4.75 5-18 October 1 ... 4.82} September 1 4.85 13-16 August 2 ... 4.90} July 1 4.95} June 1 ... ... ... ... 4.94} May 2 4.98 11-18 April 1 4.94} . March 1 5.02 London on New York, during 1937 averaged 4.95 dollars to £1 sterling; on August 2, 1938, 4.90}; cm September 28, 4.63; and during October varied between 4.78} and 4.75|. During November, 1938. the variation was between 4.76} dollars (November 8), and 4.63} (November 26). During December, 4.69} (December 6) and 4.64} (December 313. The year 1939 began at » rate of 4.63}. which dropped to 4.62} on January 4.

Buying. Selling. London— £100 sts. T.T. £124 7/6 £125 ; N.Z. O.D. £123 18/9 £124 Ifl/8 Australia— £A to £100 N.Z. o.p. £100 10 1 £100 ' : Fiji— fiP to £100 N.Z. O.D. £90 £88 12/8 New York— Dollars to £1 T.T. 3.7785 3.7352 N.Z O.D. 3.7835 3.7362 Montreal— Dollars to £1 T.T. 3.7944 3.7544 N.Z O.D, 3.8031 3.7554 Belgium— Belgas to £i N.Z. ... ... T.T. 22.440 22.130 O.D. 22.515 ,22.135 Czechoslovakia— Korunas to £1 T.T. 108.62 N.Z. ... ... O.D. ■ — 108.64 Denmark— Kroner to £1 T.T. 18.140 17.830 N.Z O.D. 18.200 17.832 Finland— Marks to £1 T.T. 184.79 178.99 N.Z O.D. 185.19 179.09 France— Francs to £1 T.T. 143.21 140.71 N.Z 0*.D. — 140.73 Germany— Keichsmarks to T.T. 9.279 £1 N.Z. ... O.D. — - 9.281 Greece— Drachmae to T.T. 429.20 £1 N.Z. ... O.D. — 429.35 Holland— Florins to £1 T.T. 7.074 6.924 N.Z O.D. 7.114 . 6.928 Italy— Lire to £1 T.T. — 71.009 N.Z O.D. — 71.034 Java— Florins to £1 T.T. 7.051 6.901 N.Z O.D. . 7.091 6.903 Norway— Kroner to £1 T.T. 16.128 15.838 N.Z. ... ... O.D. 16.188 15.841 Noumea— Francs to £1 T.T. 145.71 138.96 N.Z O.D. — 139.00 Papeete— Francs to £1 T.T. 145.11 139.11 N.Z. ... ... O.D. ■ — 139.15 Sweden— Kroner to £1 T.T. 15.739 ,15.444 N.Z. ... ... O.D. 15.799 15.447 Switzerland— Francs to £1 T.T. 16.735 16.465 N.Z O.D. 16.835 16.468 Hongkong— N.Z. pence to T.T. 18 31-64 18 55-64 1 dollar ... O.D. 18 29-64 18 55-64 India and CeylonN.Z. pence to T.T. 22 7-32 22 1-8 1 rupee O.D. 22 3-16 22 1-2 Japan— N.Z. pence to T.T. _ 17 37-64 1 yen O.D. — • 17 37-64 Singapore— N.Z. pence to T.T. 34 33-64 35 1 dollar O.D. 34 27-64 35