COMMERCIAL

Evening Star, Issue 24476, 10 April 1943, Page 6

COMMERCIAL

FRUIT AND VEGETABLES. Heavy supplies of Nelson-grown Jonathan apples nave reached tnemarket,, but sales have been disappointing. The quality of the fruit is excellent. The prices' fixed by the Price Tribunal are from 4s 6d to 6s 6d per case, according to size. The prices must be considered very reasonable, and the Marketing Department states that there will be no alteration in the coming week, it is a rather remarkable fact that the Invercargill market has absorbed more Jonathan apples this week than have been taken up locally. Cos's Orange Pippins are finished for the season, and supplies of Delicious are not expected in the meantime. This variety is at present being placed in the Central Otago cnoi stores. Cooking sorts are in better supply. Following on the high prices ruling last week for peaches, supplies increased. The market showed a drop in valuer, but these must still be -considered satisfactory to' growers. Dessert and-cooking pears are arriving from Nelson. New Zealand-grown lemons have to be rationed to retailers. The market for grapes has eased. The prices being obtained are, however, considerably higher than those ruling at this time last year. Quinces are in good supply. Very high prices are ruling for the , small lots'of dessert plums coming forward. • The tomato market is unchanged, with supplies of outside-grown fully equal to the demand. Inferior quality have little inquiry.

Cabbages are in heavy supply, Supplies of cauliflowers are hardly sufficient for the demand. Carrots and parsnip* are in 'better supply. Marrows ami pumpkins are in over-supply. Choicu lettuce are in short supply, and inferior in over supply. Low prices are ruling for swedes.

Values for cucumbers have firmed. Choice quality green peas have a keen « demand, with a slow sale for inferior quality. --Runner beans are in good supply, with lo.w prices, and French beans have a good inquiry. Wholesale prices are as follows : Apples.—Jonathans, 4s Gd to Os (3d per case; other desserts. 4s Cd to os 6d; cookers;, 4s to 6s 64. Lemons.—New Zealand. 14s 9d to 22s per case, according to count. Oranges and Bananas. Unobtainable. Pears.—Winter Cole and Winter Nelis. lis 6d per bushel case; others, "10s Gd. Gros Colmar grapes. 4s 3d to 4s 8d per lb: Hamburgs. 2s to 2s 9d. Plums.—Dessert. 10s to 14s Gd per case: others. 6s to Bs. Peaches, 5s to 7s (id per case. Quinces, 4s Gd to Gs per half-case. Tomatoes.—Local hothouse, 8d to lOd per lb; Christchurch, 5d to 7d; ouf> side-grown, 2d to od. Celery, iip to Ss per dozen heads. Cabbage, v 2s to 2s 6d per cental 'bag. Cauliflowers. 5s to 7s per bag. Lettuce. —Choice, to 2s per dozen; inferior, unsaleable. Carrots, to 2d-per lb. Pumpkins, Lid per lb. ' -; Parsnips, to 2d per lb. Swedes, to 2s per sugar bag. Sninach, to 2s per dozen buches. Water melons, to 6d per lb; jam melons, to 2d per lb. Marrows, to Id per lb. Cucumbers.—Hothouse, 4s to 7s per dozen: outside-grown. 6s to 8s 6d per half-case. Green Peas.—Choice. 4£d to 5Jd per lb; others, 2d to 3d. Beans.—French, to ..Gd per lb; runner. l*d to2<d. ■;Onions.—Canterbury,' lis" per" cental h&z: .. ' ' Potatoes, os to 7s per cwt: market still very weak. ONION PRICES. The minimum price that may lw charged or received' by any grower of onions has been fixed by the Price Tribunal, and also the maximum price that may be charged or received 'by any grower. , Under these orders the retail price of onions shall not in any case;exceed 2Jd per lb for the month of April, 3Jd per lb for the months of May and June; 33d for July and August; 4Jd- for September; 4Jd"for October; and okl for November. Mavimiim retail prices are also named for 51b. 101 b, 251 b. 50lb. and lOOlli lots The wholesale prices in Dunedin this month are 'below those fixed by the Price Tribunal. 3 WHOLESALERS LTD. The directors of Wholesalers Ltd. will recommend to the annua] meeting on April 15 that a dividend be paid at the rate of 6 per cent