TRADE OF THE WEEK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20425, 29 November 1929, Page 9

TRADE OF THE WEEK.

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL.

IMPROVEMENT IN BUSINESS.

PRODUCE MARKETS REVIEW,

Retailers have had rather a better week in spite of tho broken weather, the ordinary local buyers being augmented by an exceptionally large number of visitors to the city. The near approach of Christmas is directing attention to the urgent necessity for making early purchases, and all the shops are now prominently featuring suitable lines of presents.

Tho wholesale houses have about comj pleted the delivery of all .th.ek special forward bookings on December account, but as tho city retail tmde is improving the wholesale is looking forward to rather active business during the short' interval which is always allowed before the next forward bookings commence. CiLy retailers aro ordering every few days, the period of tho month now making very little difference. Provision houses are very busy in handling all tho seasonable lines of new goods just to hand, including extra large shipments of produce and general merchandise to the Islands." EASTERN GOODS Most of the buying for the December direct, steamer is over, and, speaking generally, it has been done at reasonable rates. Jute goods are much lower than in recent years, and favourable quotations have also been accepted for sago and taoioca, while even Singapore canned pineapples eased down a little from' the recent firm quotations. On the other hand pepper remains surprisingly firm, and other spices are much in the same position. Importers have allowed their stocks of pepper to run rather low, while prices have been so high, the general expectation being for much lower rates, so that, they now have to indent full quantities. TEA At the sales held in Colombo on Tuesday about 2,750.0001b was offered, and owing to tho quality generally being inferior the market was very irregular. For teas showing any quality there Was a brisk demand at about late rates, but for all others the market was weak nd prices' showed a distinct decline. Next week nearly 3.000,0001b will be offered. NEW FRUITS ARRIVING. An unexpectedly early arrival has been . a shipment of new season's dates. These have opened in prime condition, and as they are even a little cheaper than last year they seem likely again to meet a heavy demand. Importations of new season's Califcrnian figs are now about out of first handts, so that tho recent importations of new Turkish are selling well. They are apparently in different grades this ypar, some being very choice, particularly in the 121b boxes. Spanish muscatels also have opened in primo condition, got up in the usual attractive packages. Another popular line this* year is a Californinn pack of mixed fruit salad, packed in transparent wrappers.

AUSTRALIAN DRIED FRUITS. There is no difficulty in obtaining full supplies of currants and sultanas, as delivery has been extended. Doubtless this will restrict later importations from further overseas, as the demand drops off after January. AUSTRALIAN CANNED FRUITS. Distributors are securing their immediate requirements as available stocks are very limited. The new season's prices are likely to be higher, influenced by the much higher range of Californian quotations. WALNUTS A very attractive line has just arrived in the form of new season's Lorrento walnuts from Sicily. Equal to New Zealandgrown, the cost is about the same and the shells are very thin, making - them easy to break. A feature' is their very regular shape and size. It is anticipated that Chinese walnuts will still receive a good share of the demand for a cheaper line. Rumanian walnuts are a little lower, but Bordeaux halves maintain their price. Some very prime quality have recently been landed. BARCELONA AND BRAZIL. NUTS. The new season's' have arrived and are selling at reasonable prices. Barcelona.* are inclined to rise, but Brazils have been a good crop and prices are likely to remain easy. COFFEE. ' The market has been fluctuating a good deal, but in the mnin the controi in Brazil has been effective in keeping prices up to a high level. EGGS. Unchanged since the beginning of the week at Is 2d to Is 3d retail for hen eggs, and Is to Is Id for duck. POTATOES, The market has eased down a little more, under pressure of active digging, and the buying price at Pukekohe is now £7 10s on trucks. This_ enables Auckland merchants to sell at 10s ex store, and as' the quality is very good there is heavy buying, both for local sale and for shipment to the Islands on Saturday. A very good crop is being dug at Pukekohe and in tho neighbourhood, and it is fortunate that the quality is so Wish, damage by blight being negligible. With the price so low, it would be impossible to sell any more old season's except a few to the bakers, but stocks are virtually exhausted. Forward booking of southern potatoes for delivery from April to June is already taking place, the general quotation bein/; £7 10s ex Auckland wharf. Growers in Canterbury have been anxious about the crop, but tho rain this week is in ample time to ensure a good growth.. ONIONS. Canadian stocks are a drug in the market, and are being sold at a loss to the importers. Even after careful re-picking the quality is still unreliable in many cases, and the best realise only 16s. In view of this position and the fact that the new local crop .is coming on exceptionally well, it is unlikely that many new season's Globe will be imported from Melbourne, if merchants venture on any at all, OATS. Firm at 4s 9d ex store, duo to ihe small' stocks held" in tho south rather than to any great demand, as the -present requirements are exceedingly limited. The new crop in Canterbury has not been doing at all well. It showed signs of prematurely coming into ear, in addition to which tho pastures vwero becoming so bad that a good deal of the grain area seemed hkel.v to be used for grazing. However, this week's rain should save the position there. In Southland the whole, country is' looking well, and tho crops should be abun-' dant. CHAFF. Southern is firm at. £ll 10s. ex 6tore. with supplies being drawn from a firm market in Canterbury. Blenheim stocks appear to be quite exhausted, except ah occasional little quantity held by farmers for their own. stock. WHEAT. Stocks in the south are heavy for this time of the year, and there is likely to be a substantial carry-over, even alter a good quantity has been exported. However, the sliding sonic of duty on importation keeps up the price, and there is not yet any certainly as to how the new harvest will turn out. The urep. is a little less than, last year, but with a. reasonable rainfall there should bo sufficient lor the year. Fowl wheat is firm at 7s lOd ex store, with an increasing demand. FLOUR AND OFFAL. Normal quantities of flour are. moving off, with no inducement to take any more than for immediate requirements. Regular gristing enables the local mills to meet all calls for bran and pollard without drawing on the South Island MAIZE.' ■ The demand is already Blackening of! a little, and this movement will doubtless, continue when the. weather becomes still warmer. Ample supplies are to hand from the coast, and the price is a. shade easier at 6p 4d ex store, fov ..mall lines. Large parcels are mostly sent by rail to the inland centres, and for thest tho growers are realising 5s 3d on trucks at Bay of Plenty stations. SEEDS. The spring demand for Japanese millet is now about over, but good quantities of mangolds and soft turnips are still selling. Any already in are doing exceptionally, well, and it is expected that there will now bo an increasing demand for swedes, to get them in while (he land is in good order. The demand for seed maize is almost over, j Although no more grass seed is likely to sell until the autumn, merchants are making early preparations for their likely requirements. Canteibury growers, have'been very anxious about their cocksfoot and ryegrass seed, but the rain may bo in time to ensure a good yield. FERTILISERS.

Tho special mixtures are selling well for use in planting tho fodder crops, but orders nre only for limited quantities as no topdressing is now going on. Super will soon bo required in larger quantities for swede 3.