STONE FRUIT SCARCER

Evening Star, Issue 23525, 14 March 1940, Page 9

STONE FRUIT SCARCER

PRICES NOW HIGHER HEAVY SUPPLIES OF TOMATOES MARKET WELL STOCKED WITH VEGETABLES A shipment of bananas was received during the week. The quantity available was not sufficient for the requirements of the trade, but a fairly large shipment will be available by the Matua, due at Auckland on March 18, states the market report of Lovell, Bates Ltd. for - the week ended yesterday. A further allocation of Jamaican oranges was distributed by the Internal Marketing Division during the week. The shipment was wasty, and repacking was necessary. Further supplies will not be available until after Easter. A small shipment of Jamaican grapefruit has arrived. The condition was excellent, but the demand is poor, Californian lemons are in heavy supply and have a steady demand. 'Stone fruit supplies have been short during the week, and most lines have had a keen demand at improved values. Freestone peaches have a good demand, with prices higher. Apricots are now finished for the season. Plums are in shorter supply. Very fine quality of the Purple King and Burbank varieties for dessert have been received during the week, and values are improved. Black Diamond and prune plums are. now on offer for jam at reasonable prices. Heavy supplies of outdoor tomatoes continue to arrive. The quality of the consignments arriving is good, but the demand is particularly weak and prices realised cannot show a margin of profit to growers. Glasshouse-grown are also being received in large quantities, the values obtained being low. Small consignments of raspberries are being received from Waimate. Prices remain eoual to last week’s rates. Good quality blackberries are being offered, and the demand has improved. Grapes are being consigned from Roxburgh, Kakanui, and local houses, and have a good inquiry. Nectarines are in short supply, and high prices are being obtained for the small quantities now available. Mushrooms are on offer in limited quantities, and excellent prices are being obtained for first quality. Distributions of apples are being made to brokers daily, and increasing supplies of all varieties are being allocated, Cox’s Orange Pippins have a keen demand. The prices have been reduced during the week. Other varieties on offer, are Scarlet Permains, Worcesters, and Shoreland Queen for dessert. Alfristons, Dunn’s Favourite, and Eallarats are in ample supply for cooking purposes. Good values are being realised for dessert pears. Bonehretien pears are now finished for the season, the varieties now coming forward being Louie Bon Jersey and Marie Louise. Cooking pears are being sold at moderate prices. Ample supplies of hothouse and outdoor cucumbers are available. The values arc lower than last week, Full supplies of all vegetables are being received daily. The value of all lines continues low, and prices obtained must be disappointing to growers. Green peas are in ample supply, and values have eased. French, runner, and broad beans are in over-sup-ply, with values poor. Celery is. realising good values. Cabbages are difficult to dispose of., Carrots are lower in price than last week. Parsnips are in short supply, and a good demand exists for good quality. Swedes are in full supply, with values, low. Marrows have a better inquiry. Supplies of onions are ample for all requirements, and the market value has fallen. It is reported from Canterbury that large quantities will be available this season. Moderate prices should, therefore, continue throughout the season. There is no improvement in the potato market. Supplies are increasing, and values are difficult to maintain. RANGE OF PRICES.

Prices are as follows: Bananas, 19s 6d to 22». Oranges, Jamaican (repacked), 24s 6d to 32s . 6d. Grapefruit, Jamaican, 21s 6d to 30s 6d. Apples: Cooking, 6s to 7s; Worcester Pearmain, 6s to 8s Cd; Cox’s Orange, 7s. 6d to 11s 6d.

Lemons, Californian, 58s a case. Plums: Dessert, 3s 6d to 5s a case; cooking, 2b to 3s a case; Purple King to 8s a case. Nectarines, 6s to 7s a case; dessert, to 5d a lb. Peaches, 3s 6d to 4s 6d a case; dessert, 3d to 3sd a lb. Blackberries, 4s 6d to 6s. Grapes, Is to Is 2d a lb. Cucumbers, hothouse, 4s to 5s a doz.; 4s to 5s a ease. , Tomatoes: 2sd to 3]d a lb (Christchurch glasshouse); 2d to 21d a lb (Christchurch outside); 4d to 5d a lb (local). Spinach, Is a dozen. Potatoes, 2s a case; 2s 6d a sugar Unions, 5s a sugar bag; 8s a cental hag. Pears: Dessert, 5s to 6s 6d a case; Cooking, 3s to 3s 6d. Lettuce,- choice, to Is a dozen. Carrots, 9d to Is a dozen. Cabbage. Is 6d a bag. Cauliflowers. 3a 6d a bag. White turnips, 9d a dozen. Green peas, choice, 2d to 2§d a lb. Beetroot, to Is a dozen. Swedes, Is 6d a bag. Beans: French. 2sd a lb; broad, l}d a lb; runner, 2d to 2-)d a lb. Silver beet. Is a dozen. Marrows, 6s to 7s a cwt. Pumpkins, IJd a lb. Parsnips, Is 4d a dozen.

AUSTRALIAN STOCK EXCHANGES

Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright SYDNEY, March 12. The Stock Exchange closed at noon to-day for the annual cricket match, The market is reported to be generally steady.

OVCuUJ » £ s. d. Bank of Australasia 9 0 0 Bank of New South Wales 27 6 0 Commercial Bank of Sydney Dalgetys • •• 0 18 6 17 9 6 Colonial Sugar, New Zealand delivery 50 2 6 Tooheys 1 7 9 General Industries 0 18 0 Coles ... Mort’s Dock 3 11 0 0 17 6 Adams 0 13 0 Atkins 1 2 South Broken Hill 1 7 0 Arahura 1 10 0

MELBOURNE EXCHANGE. Goldsbrough, Mort 1 7 9 Coles _ ... 3 10 9 Dunlop Perdriau (ex div.) 0 19 2 Imperial Chemicals 1 2 3 Broken Hill Proprietary ... 2 6 9 Emperor 0 14 9