POTATO MARKET

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2308, 28 November 1925, Page 11

POTATO MARKET

SLIGHT DROP IN PRICES. GROWERS DIGGING RAPIDLY. The buying price of potatoes yesterday was £lB, but to-day the price was £1 a ton less, informed a merchant to representatives of a northern paper. He mentioned that the extra price offering, os compared with the figures a short time ago, Induced more growers to dig, with the result that there would be a tendency to flood the market with supplies, and consequently cause a drop In prices. The merchants anticipated the position and lowered the price a little, really to fend off the producer who was digging unripe potatoes. This attitude, he pointed out, was in the interests of the producers, because it would assist to discourage the digging of green potatoes and enable them to keep prices fairly regular, whereas If green potatoes were dug in any quantity It would have a bad effect on future prices. It was natural for the growers to rush a high price, and at the same time to forgot that In doing so £1 gained now might mean a loss of throe or four a little latex on. It is understood that Wellington buyers are cancelling their orders owing to heavy consignments from Pukckohe, Otaki, and Hutt. while it is also learned that the best samples of Pukekohe potatoes were sold on an average In Auckland yesterday for £l4 per ton, although the best Fanmure and Avondale samples sold at a considerably higher figure.