NO POTATO FAMINE LIKELY THIS YEAR

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6631, 9 June 1928, Page 8

NO POTATO FAMINE LIKELY THIS YEAR

Produce Markets of Dominion Under Review

WHEAT, OATS, CHAFF AND

SEEDS

Pes Press Association. DUNEDIN, Last Night.

The milling wheat market continues at a standstill and so far as the Otago district is concerned offerings are stiiJ light. Milling Tuscan is worth to-day 5/7 per bushel, sacks extra, on trucks, and Hunter’s 6/-. There is no velvet offering at present. The fowl wheat market is unaltered, and the demand is not equal to the supply. Small parcels only are changing hands, and these realise 5/9, sacks extra, ex-store. Tho ; shipping market is also weak. The general quotation in Canterbury is 5/7J, f.0.b., sacks extra, but North Island merchants are holding off in anticipation of lower prices. . No interest is being displayed in the oat market, and a weakening tendency is becoming more pronounced. Holders are still’ pressing. to sell but there is little: response from possible purchasers. Consumptive demand is not great, and only small lots aro being shipped to the North Island. Merchants there, however are concentrating more on under grade lines. Growers in both Otago and Southland have not many oats now to offer. But stocks in stores are fairly plentiful. Sales Of A Garton's have been ; made during the week at 4/1 f.0.b., s.i., and in some instances A’s have changed hands at 4/- f.0.b., s.i.

The price for B’s still shows a substantial margin, as compared with A's, the first-named being quoted at 3/9i f.0.b., s.i. The foregoing prices are equivalent to 3/4 and 3/- respectively, sacks extra, on trucks at country sidings.

The chaff market, remains very quiet, with consignments arriving quite equal to demand. Sales are difficult to effect and £5/5/- per ton, sacks extra, extruck, is the full value for good quality. Tho potato market shows no alteration. Tho highest price being realised for best quality is £5/10/- per ton, sacks included, ex-trucks. Although potatoes are not plentiful in the Otago district, there appears to be considerable quantities in Canterbury.

Reports from the North Island state that the quantity of potatoes being received there is exceptionally heavy and that supplies will be ample for the next month or so. As a consequence there has been a weak ending in the shipping market. On the present position, it seems that there will be no shortage of potatoes. The seed market is the only one that shows signs of activity at the present time. With the export demand that has been experienced for rye-grass and short crop in the Dominion, there has been a general firming in prices, and several sales have been recorded at an advance on late rates. With Dominion requirements for spring sowing and export demand, it seems likely that firmness in the: rye-grass market will continue. White clover still realises high prices, also on account of shortage, and the Same position applies to cocksfooot Crested dogstail, however,, is more plentiful, and the market for this seed remains unchanged. There is no export demand for this variety.