FRUIT AND PRODUCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17978, 31 December 1921, Page 5

FRUIT AND PRODUCE.

4» —, YESTERDAY'S MARKETS. Business at the city iruit arid produce markets yesterday was dull compared with previous weekly sales, the tailing off in the number of visitors in the city having caused retailors and restaurant keepers w modify their demands. Prices showed tu> all-round decline, growers who depend on seasonable trade having to be satisfied with a. lower return than they looked for. Thero was. however, no shortage in any lines generally required. Strawberry buyerß were wary, having been caught with stocks on Christmas Eve, wbith they were compelled in eonio instances to sell at 6d per chip. The bulk of tho . season's crop should be finished towiirda ,thc end of next week when a coneidable tailing off in supplies is anticipated. Poultry prices were still down, retailers havine boen unable to dispose of all stocks laid in for the Christmas season. The larger buyers wero not bidding, and sales were confined to the small retailers, who buy as closoly as possible to requirements, STRAWBERRIES. Unusually largo quantities of strawberries are coming to hand, considering tho lateness of the season. The low prices at sales earlier in tho week were somewhat bettered yesterday, average fruit realising 8d to 9d per chip, better samples up to lOd, Buyers were inclined to hold off. but, aa they needod supplies for the New Year's Eve trade, they wero compelled to come in towards the end and prices firmed at tho later Bales, FRUIT. The general tone of tho fruit market was easier. Supply and quality of loganberries showed a falling off and prices, at 9d to lOd | per chip, wero easier. Tho first of tho sea- , scn'e ucctarincs were on hand, most of the ■ Iruit heina poor and green. Pricos did not Igo beyond 6s to 6s per case. The supplies of poaches and apricots wore hoavy. Peaches were cheap,_ the bulk selling at 4s to 6s per case, with a few as high as 9s. but this did not touch last 'week's prices. Good apricots wore in demand, and sold at 7s to ]0b per case, poorer vartetios at 6b and 6s, A fow local pears were offered, and these, being the first good fruit of tho season, sold up to 6s 6d for a small case. Of tho plums offered, the Japanese and English varieties predominated. Black English wero wanted, and sold at from 6s to 8s per case. The Japanese wore generally of poor quality, and woro slow of tile. Chrißtniss plumß are about finished off, those sent forward being on the over-ripe side. Larger quantities of hothouse grapes are in evidence, glowers at Whangarei, Mangore, and Birkenhead competing for the steady demand. Prices maintained their level, 2s 9jd lb being paid for good samples, and U 6d to Is lOd for less enticing fruit. The now season's local apples coming in are not selling very well, owing to the competition of the American eating apples on the market, Astrachans, only slightly ripened, sold at 6s to Bs case, and good large cooking apples 7s to 12s, according to size and grade. A few last season's Slur* mers, ci cool store, brought IBs. American desserts sold at 16s to 18s. Australian cherries, ex cool store, realised 22s per 12lb C&6O.

Oranges wero disposed of at rates on a par with last week's. The demand for hanan&s showed a weakening tendency, owing to tho supplies held by retailors having ripened. However., ripe fruit sold freely from 10s case, the sounder fruit realising 18s to 20s. Heavier supplies of tomatoes forced prices down. Best liothouao brought an average of Is per lb, outdoor selling at 6d to Bd, with smaller samples Sid to fid. DAIRY PRODUCE. The supply of fresh eggß was very good, and, contrary to expectations, tho demand was steady, prices suffering,only a slight declino on last week's rates. Hen's eggs sold at from Is lid to 2s ljd per dozen, and i duck eggs approximately one penny lower. | Heavy quantities of farmers' dairy butter I came in. but the poor demand caused prices | to decline slightly, the average prico received being in the vicinity of Is sa. The season Jb a little early yet for good section honey, Yesterday's increased supply, however, showed a return of approximately one penny on last weeVs prices, the average being 81 d per section. POULTRY. Business in poultry was remarkably poor, and prices were in consequence low. TVote birds were not much in demand, the cockerels offered being of small variety, and not altogether fitted for dressing. Cockerels sold at from Is to 3s, with a few better quality going slightly over 4s. Hens reilised 2s 3d to 3s 6d. Young ducks disappointed breeders, fetching only from 3s 6d to 3s lOd, while old ducks at Is 9d to 2s I were even cheaper than at earlier sales. Buyers were slow at taking up turkey i gobblers, which sold at from 12s 6d to 16s, but neither hen turkeys nor s«*e were on hand in any noticeable quantities. FIELD PRODUCE.

Greater quantities of new potatoes were, la evidence, and rates were lower, sales beins I effected at from Sd to Id per lb. Green ] peas also declined in the faoa of fair supplies, realising from ljd to 2d a ,1b- A - similar drop in French beans was noticeable, ruling rateß being Id to 2d » lb- Onions were practically unsaleable, the best pric«s obtained ranging from 4s to 7o per c«l. Cabbages were in short supply, and good quality vegetables sold at from 3s to 4s a dozen. Kumaras were practically absent, i crowers apparently preferring not io dig lor I a dul! market. Rhubarb was cheaper at j from 2s to 3s 6d a dozen, and cucuroben receded h price to Is to 4s a dozen. Wto Wjj. quite 50 per cent on hit week's rates, selling at from Gd to Is a ! doieri Other lines were -Vegetable marrow. Id to 3d each: beetroot. c«MU. and parsnips. 6d to Is a dozen.