SOUTHERN PRODUCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20560, 10 May 1930, Page 9

SOUTHERN PRODUCE.

CANTERBURY QUOTATIONS.

SHIPMENTS' OF POTATOES

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

CIIKJSTCHUKCH, Friday.

Business on the local grain and produce market is still of comparatively small dimensions. The principal business that is being done is in potatoes. The forward position is fairly strong, but the prompt position for potatoes is weak. The prompt quotation for whites is £3 to" £3 ss, on trucks. The May-Juno quotation is £4 10s f.0.b., s.i.; June alone, £4 15s: July, £5 2s 6d; July-August-September, £5 12s 6d. It is not possible to buy freely at these prices. Two steamers will leave Lyttelton tomorrow night with about 11,000 sacks of potatoes for Auckland. The Northern centre does not usually take so many potatoes from the South Island at this time of the year as it is taking this season. The total shipments from Lyttelton to Auckland up to the end of April this .year consisted of 47,096 sacks, compared with 45,278 sacks for the corresponding period last year. In addition to the shipments from Lyttelton, shipments have gone from Timaru. The wheat market remains about the same as at the date of the previous report, but there is very little wheat now offering. Pool wheat is still being delivered on account of contracts entered into earlier between millers and the pool, and prices remain unchanged at 5s 8d to ss-9d for Tuscan; 5s 9d to 5s lOd for Hunters; and 5s lid to 6s for Pearl, on trucks. Fowl wheat is still in good demand, at 5s lid f.0.b., s.i., but it is difficult to obtain supplies. It cannot he said that there is much business passing in oats, but the market is firm at late rates. A grade are worth 3s 6d on trucks, and B grade 3s 3d. • The importation of chaff by the North ■ Island from Tasmania has not detrimentally affected the price here! The local price has improved, to-day's quotations being '£s to £5 2s 6d a ton for good quality. ■ The market for Partridge peas is firmer, owing to a better demand from Home. No 1 grade are worth 4s 6d on trucks. It is difficult to obtain supplies. Tho area sown in peas last year was smaller than usual, and the yield was light. There is a slightly better inquiry for linseed, but the price is unaltered at £ls a ton on trucks. The bottom lias dropped ont of the onion market. Nominally the price is 30s a too. There is nothing doing in small seeds, and prices of these are unchanged.

OTAGO GRAIN TRADE,

LITTLE ACTIVITY IN BUSINESS

[by telegraph.—own correspondent.] ' • DUNEDIN, Friday.

In most wheat-growing districts, the end of threshing activities is now in sight. It is noticeable that the proportion of Hunters offering is high in comparison ■with the offerings-of Tuscan. Tuscan is still quoted at 5s 9d, sacks extra, on trucks, with 5s lid for Hunters. Odd lines-of'Velvet 'are on offer, but millers are not now prepared to pay more than i the. pi'ipe of Hunters for these, i .The fowl wheat market remains firm witfi only small stocks available. The locals value is 6s per bushel, sacks extra, ex store. Tho demand for seed wheat has commenced and it is quite apparent, that the sowing out will bo heavier this season than usual. There is little alteration. in the oats market Offerings from the country have diminished, but on the other hand tho demand lias also slackened. Most of tho oats havo now been harvested. The only inquiry of any importance is from the North Island, whero some merchants have to cover forward commitments. There' are buyers of odd lots of A grade at 3s 9d, f.0.b., s.i., but holders are not prepared to sell at this figure and are asking Id per bushel more. An occasional inquiry is also being received from Canterbury for lines required for seed. The values to farmers remain unchanged at Os 2d, sacks extra, on trucks for A grade and 3s for B grade. The chaff market remains quiet and it is with difficulty that sales are made. Local feeders are fully stocked, and-the bulk of the oats coming in are going into store. Shipping inquiries have been received, but the prices offered by North Island merchants leave only a small margin of profit to Dunedin mer- { chants to work on. The value to-day for'best quality chaff is £5 5s per ton, sacks extra, ,ex truck. Medium and light' is difficult to sell at £4 to £4 10s. sacks extra, ex store. ' 1 1

Offerings of potatoes are, still, far. in excess of. the demand, a.nd the market is dragging for choice quality. It is difficult to find buyers at £5 5s per ton, sacks included, ex store;, and only small lots have'been sold at this figure. The soeds , market is' very quiet and there is practically no demand from any quarter'.

_ A shipment of Samoan bananas arrived during, the week from Auckland. The shipment was unexpected and retailers who had stocked up heavily the week before were not in a position to buy in quantity.' The quality, moreover, was not of the best, consequent oh the frosty weather and the amount of handling the fruit had to undergo in transit. The shipment will show a loss to the "Auckland merchants .