OTAGO WHEAT

Evening Star, Issue 23817, 22 February 1941, Page 15

OTAGO WHEAT

EXCELLENT QUALITY ARRIVING SHORTAGE TO BE OVERCOME Bray Bros, report, that odd lines of the now season's wheat are appearing from the Central Otago and Palmerston districts. Tins wheat is of excellent quality-dry and well filled. Cutting has taken place in some districts south of Dunedin, and threshing will bo commenced shortly on the Taicri. The shortage of supplies of fowl wheat should shortly he overcome. As a matter of fact, sonic milling wheat is now being released in Canterbury for poultry feed. Prices for flour, etc., are as follows: Flour.—2oo's, £l3 15s 6d; ICG's. £l4 12s 6d: 50‘s, £l4 17s 6d ; 25’s, £ls 7s 7d. Pollard, £6 15s a ton of 2,0001 b. Bran, £5 5s a ton of 2,0001 b, Oatmeal.—2oolb sacks, £27 14s a Ion; 251 b loose, £29 4s; 251 b packed m sacks of eight, £29 14s. . Now season’s oats are on oiler in Canterbury, and A Carton's.have been sold at 3s a bushel, sacks extra, on trucks, country sidings. A few lines have also been offered from southern districts, and sold at the above figure. Little business is passing in chaff. It will be some time before new chaff is available. When it does appear on the market prices will show a decline of those at present ruling. The potato market shows no change. (Supplies arc ample in the meantime, but the distributing trade is restricted, as bouseholders are still working on their garden crops. With the dry weather prevailing in Canterbury merchants arc inclined lu ask high prices for forward deliveries. The main crops would be materially helped by a good rainfall. FRUIT AND PRODUCE. Business in the fruit markets during the week has been fairly brisk. Increased consignments of tomatoes from Central Otago and Canterbury have been arriving, and the fruit is in'excellent condition. Prices showed an easing tendency. Further supplies of Australian oranges have been released by the Marketing Division, and although the price was advanced the demand has been good. Bon Chretien pears arc on offer daily, and prices for these have been reduced during the week. The limit is ripening rapidly. Bananas have been sold out of the markets. No further supplies aro expected until fho end of the inonlh. Californian lemons are on offer, hut the demand is slow. Fair quantities of stone fruit are still arriving from the Central Otago districts, and payable prices arc being maintained. The quality ot (he Central Otago fruit Ibis season has heen exceptionally good. Peaches and ucclarincs are meeting with a good demand. The season will not last much longer for greengages, which have, up to the present, been in short supply. Choice quality desert plums are realising indueive prices for growers, and the tmpply of jam varieties is not equal to the demand. The apricot season is practically Finished. The high prices which have been ruling on northern markets has kept the local markets short supplied. (iravciislcins are on offer from Central Olago and Nelson. The prices were eased slightly, and (his has created a better demand by retailers. Raspberries are practically finished for the season. High prices are ruling for good quality vegetables. Choice quality lettuce arc selling well. Marrows are in good supply. New season's carrots ami parsnips have a steady sale, as has also celery, bectro.-.i, and swede turnips. Wholesale prices arc as follows: Cauliflowers, 5s 6d to 7s 6d a sack. LcUucc, 2s to 3s a dozen. Carrots, Is to Is 6d a dozen. Onions, 12s 6d a hag. Peas, 3/,d to 5d per lb. Local potatoes, 2,s 6d to 3s a case. Mushrooms, Is 3d to Is 5d per lb. Cucumbers.—Outside, 4s to 5s a case; hothouse, 3s 6d (u 5s a dozen. Tomatoes.—Christchurch, 3d to 5d per lb; locals, 5d to 7d per lb. . Raspberries, 12s to 14s a bucket or tin. Dessert peaches, 4d lu 5d per lb. Dessert apricots, 51d to bid per lb. Cooking peaches, 4s lo 4s Si a case. Cooking apricots, 6s to 8s a case. Bating apricots, 8s to 9s 6d a case. Nectarines.—3d to 4d per lb; 4s to 5s a case. Pears (Bon Chretien), 5s a case.