COMMERCIAL.

Northern Advocate, 21 October 1920, Page 6

COMMERCIAL.

AUCKLAND REVIEW

PRODUCE MARKET,

The weekly review of the Auckland produce market by the 'Herald's' commerciul editor is us follows:—

Potatoes.—The local market is decidedly firmer this week, and a good demand is reported at 7/ to 7/3 ex store. This is generally regarded as a temporaiy move, due to the shortage of supplies here, and it will be another week before any more arrive. The shortage is not sufficiently acute to cause much inconvenience, and merchants are rather glad of the opportunity to get all old stocks cleared right out, as the quality has been causing a .good deal of trouble lately. Most samples have required careful repickmg, and this always entails loss. Demand has been very heavy lately, and any shortage is to be regretted if it causes a reduction in the consumption of potatoes, as enormous stocks are still left in the South, which it will be difficult to place before the new crop is ready.

Seed Potatoes. —A few are selling, principally Gamekeeper at 9/, but all reports agree that .the turnover this year is small. This points to a reduced production in the Auckland province, necessitating the usual heavy importation from the South next year.

New Potatoes. —A few are being dug already, and growers' are getting about 5d per lb for the very smr.ll quantities they are able to send in. The quality is fairly good, considering how early it is in the season, and should steadily improve from now on.

Onions.—Southern are selling after careful repicking, and Austarlian are also moving off at about 38s per cwt. Most buyers are going slow until they can .get possession of their American onions bought to arrive. These are now in Wellington, and should arrive by first steamer. Quotation for American is 40s per case of about 1001b. •

Oats.—Market is again weaker, and B grade are selling down to 6s ex store in small lots. Good stocks are held here, and ample supplies are available in the South, so that there appears no prospect of any recovery in price.

Seed Oats. —The rain last week has made a remarkable difference to the appearance of the growing crops, and further seed has since been put in. The principal inquiry is for Australian Algerian.

Chaff.—Market keeps firm at £15 ex store for best Southern. Stocks are getting low in store, and any arrival makes veiy little difference to the position, as it nearly all seems to sell from ship's side.

Hay.—Quite a good demand has continued until now, bur, merchants are expecting it to fall right off, as there are plentiful supplies of grass. The growth of giass has been phenomenal during the past 'month, and the rain last week av&s all that was wanted to make a heavy hay crop a certainty.

Wheat. —-There is some speculation as to whether the Australian authorities will release more of their old season's wheat, now that they are assured of a bountiful harvest that they may find some difficulty in selling. In the meantime New Zealand stocks are perilously lowj and fowl wheat is unobtainable.

Flour.—Stocks are limited, and orders are supplied with some difficulty.

Bran and Bollard. —No change in the position so far. Pollard is specially scarce, and only small quantities are being booked.

Maize.—A good demand continues for all Coast maize, and consignments are realising 9s 9d on the wharf in wholesale lines. Occasionally the quotation is shaded a few pence to clear, but the consumptive demand keeps up well this year, c-n account of the shortage of wheat.

Seed Maize. —Farmers are buying small lots for immediate planting, in case the summer should be dry. A very fine sample from Motiti Island is offering, and- there is the usual inquary for Hickory King.

Fertilisers.—A good quantity is being taken up as fast as it arrives, and fortunately the supplies are much more plentiful. Australian bonedust is arriving in far better quantity since the Sydney shipping service improved, and this is selling at £19 10s to £20. Another shipment of Australian superphosphates arrived thiß week to a good market, and this is selling at £11 10s.

Groceries.-—The principal changes announced since last week are a fall in. starch and a rise in candles. Sugar is still causing anxiety, on account of the difficulty in getting supplies. The restaurants are still using brown sugar, as white is reserved for essential industries. The position is not made any easier for distributors when it is understood that these essential industries include the manufacture of chocolate creams and jelly crystals, Flax.—The market- remains dull and uninteresting. Millers are disturbed regarding the prospects for the coming season, and as the market does not show signs of improving in London or Now York the only hope lies in a reduction in freight. Thpre are now much better opportunities for, shipping than there have been for six years, and shippers are looking for an adjustment of freight rates when all the arrears of cargo are cleared up.

Kauri Gum.—Market keeps active, and all consignments coming into Auckland are eagerly taken up, the chief inquiry turning to the better qualities. Further quantities are being shipped this week.