COMMERCIAL.

Northern Advocate, 1 December 1921, Page 7

COMMERCIAL.

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL

I'itODUCE MARKETS REVIEWED,

F AUCKLAND, This Day. * Both wholesale and retail continue [ very activc in most departments, says ' the "Herald's" commercial editor. The t wholesale have about finished stlie extra ( booking for December account, for ► which, very heavy deliveries are reportl ed, but good orders are still pouring * in, and it looks as if there will now be ' no slackening off till the Christmas holidays intervene. It has ibecn ar- ' ranged thait the usual early delivery for forward booking will take place in December, country delivery commencing ; 011 December .12 and town delivery on December 15. This should avoid any possibility of congestion on the eve of , the holidays. Imports.—Several vessels have arrived with overseas cargoes during the last few days, and the wharves are quiltc busy again in spite of the falling off in the arrival of Southern produce. The Westmeath, Waimate, and Port Kembla all have general cargoes, and it is surprising to note the number of lines aboard Ithat are urgently wanted. The Port Kembla is particularly welcome, briuging from Liverpool several consignments that were previously held up by a strike. On Saturday the Waihora, the special fruit steamer from San Francisco, is due with a large shipment of (the new season's fruit, and this should meet a very urgent demand, r.s the trade has never approached the festive season with such small stocks as this year. * Dried Fruits.—The Waihora is expected to bring seeded raisins, seedless raisins, prunes, apricots, peaches, and possibly muscatels, although the last- [ named is doubtful, according to previous mail advices from San Francisco. However it is reported -that the new season's are now in Wellington, so the Auckland steamer will possibly have them also. The Mediterranean fruits that arrived by the Ulim&roa have now been distributed, comprising sultanas, currants, arid figs, the first ito arrive from Greek territory for seven years, and the consignments have arrived in ' better condition than they ever did before Hie war. This is no doubit due to the smaller amount of handling in Syd- ' ney. The quality is fair, Australian fruit of finer grade having supplied the ! market during recent years. 1

Tea.—Merchants are rather disconcerted over the high prices paid by 'their buyers in Ceylon for shipments now on the way. The market had been steadily advancing for months, but it was impossible to hold off any longer, as local stocks are getting dangerously low in good quality, and high-priced teas will arrive in a few weeks. The exact cost is not yet known, as it will largely depend on the exchange that happened to be current when the draft was converted from rupees to sterling, but it looks as if local prices will have ito be reviewed.

Dairy Produce.—Local values are steadily following the' London market, the latest change being a slight recovery in cheese and a reduction in but-

ter. Hams are selling well for early delivery for Christmas trade. Eggs arc in demand at Is 8d wholesale, large quantities being now taken off the mar-

ket for preserving. Produce.—The auctions are busy with the new season ; s produce, but much less is now arriving from the South.

Potatoes.—Old potatoes are now over, anc curing the week it has been impos-

sible Ito fill orders for a few bakers who wore requiring supplies. New potatoes are arriving in much larger quai.tities and are selling at 15s to 17s, according to quality. The auctions aro well supplied, but growers are not

rushing them in, as blight is noit very troublesome at present, and the additional weight gained by an, extra week < r two will probably compensate for any fall in price. Or>ion?.—A shipment has been landed fiom the Ulimaroa, and (this turned i out in nicc order for this time of the year, selling at. about 17s per cwt. ex store, which represents an advance on recent rates. The new season *s will probably be arriving in two or ithree weeks, but in the meantime the old season's are not likely to keep long, and there is consequently quite a fair sale i/or American at 40s per crate. Oats.—Souithern market is about a penny down,, and local price is dull at 4s 8d ex store in small lines. The now grain is offering in the South already, before the grain has begun to turn colour in the ear, Southern merchants showing the same enterprise as Oalifornian shippers, who usually quoite the new season's fruit before the buds even appear. The new harvest is quoted for delivery from March onwards at about 3s 2d, but very little business is passing, the general opinion being that the price wall have ito give way. Chaff.—Marlborough chaff is in plentiful supply, quotations being 9s 3d ex store in small lots, or £8 15s at Onehunga in truckloads. Full quantities, are c-.riiving, and it is evident that growers are eager !to get rid of their stocks, in anticipation of a good harvest. The auctions are full of local chaff, which is difficult to dispose of. Oatmeal.—Demand is very slow, but stocks are not accumulating, as millers have curtailed production. Wheat.—A census is being taken a? usual on November'3o, and this will soon settle the question as to whether there is a shortage or not. In (the meantime it is difficult to fill orders for fowl wheat, and the market is rather I firm at 9s 3d to 9s 6d. A little more is coming over from Australia, but no more permits arc to be granted. After next harvest wheat will be more plentiful than i't has been for seven years, and the quotation for fowl wheat for forward delivery gives a good hint of the probable yield. It is expected from present advices that onerchanlts will be able to sell in Auckland at 1 about 6s 3d to 6s 9d. Bran and Pollard.—Both are in bet- J ter supply, and there is now no diffi- * culty in filling orders. «

Maize.—'About 500 sacks arrived since- lasit report, and this has been ample for all' requirements, so that the price has not recovered. Consignments have realised 4s 6d to 4s 9d on the wharf in wholesale lines, but the demand is falling off. Seed Maize. —>A good deal has sold during the past few weeks, but ithe demand is now decreasing. The crop hap had a fairly good s*tart ,and another shower of rain would ensure an ample

J summer supply. Fertilisers. —Locally-made are selling well, and getting an improved hold on the market. Calcutta boneduat is in small compass. Chemical manures are beinji imported regularly, and the Westmcath's cargo includes some "made in Germany.'' Flax. —Market is dull, and very little is going away. Millers and shippers are looking for an improvement at Home, or else a fall in (the freight. Kruri Cum.—The production shows a steady falling off, the amount now being so small as to make it difficult to secure a small parcel for a shipping order. A certain demand keeps up, both for London and for New York, and qualities are often shipped which previously would not pass. The Ifotal production is now less than half what it was before the war, and it is difficult to know how the position will materially improve, unless Germany again becomes a buyer of the cheap qualities, and Germany will find some difficulty in financing any great quantities for some time.