TRADE OF THE WEEK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20827, 20 March 1931, Page 7

TRADE OF THE WEEK.

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL.

STEADY BUSINESS RECORDED.

PRODUCE MARKETS REVIEW. • Trade in grain, seed and produce circles continues rather quiet, with prices fairly steady on comparatively low levels, and most big-selling produce lines such us potatoes are being distributed to storekeepers through the auction marts. Tho Southern season is not expected to start for another four weeks or so, when increased activity can be expected among brokers and produce merchants. In the wholesalo merchandise trade increased business in winter foods, such as oaten products and pearl barley, is expected for dolivery on the twenty-fifth. Already orders have started to come in for inclusion on the April invoices. Business with the farmer is still slightly disappointing for those who have been accustomed to big orders for non-essential products, but merchants dealing in foodstuff lines report a better tone in inquiries being received from various parts of the province. The higher market for wool has had a tendency to increase confidence in many quarters. Although the quantity of frozen produce being shipped overseas now is rather heavy, arrivals of merchandise have been light and are likely to remain so until aftei tho bank balance on March 31. Apiil is expected to be a heavy month for arrivals. Tho lvartigi is due from South Australia direct next week with a fairly heavy cargo of barley, pollard, onions and salt, in addition to other merchandise lines. The Tofua will take her usual miscellaneous cargo to the Islands next week. OATEN PEODUCTS. The expected drop in prices for certain southprT^rf 'U tS haa i bet? , n announced by m m M,, 618 n n . d at , k : ast 0110 Auckland manufacturer. Oatmeal has been reduced A J a ton and quotations for rolled oats n„tcfi S0 l 0^ er " , S °uthern millers had not passed on the reduced prices lo their Auckland representatives up to yesterday afternoon, hut it is expected that the lower rates will bo general beforo the end of the week. Proprietary lines of oaten products are not expected to he included in the lower quotations. The reduction is duo to the big drop in tho price of o.its. POTATOES. Heavier supplies of local potatoes have been coming forward to the Auckland mar(luring the pffst week and prices have eased. Practically no Rangitikei potatoes are coming on consignment, the only arrivals being on account of commitments made by merchants a few weeks ago for spread delivery during March. Indications are that the Pukekohe crop, which line shown improved quality recently, will last, for some w-eeks. The southern market for forward delivery continues weak and practically no business for future months is being booked. The Canterbury crop is reported to be late this season, but, it is expected that tho first of the crop will make its appearance here early in April, although big shipments cannot be expected until well on in,the month. Pukekoho potatoes are selling through Auckland stores at around £7 a ton. For small lots for country storekeepers direct from Pukekohe merchants aro asking around f.o.r. ONIONS. The spot market for onions shows practically no change from last week. Stocks of Melbourne onions held in Auckland aro just about exhausted, but a further shipment is due next week. Pukekohe onions are being offered at around 9s a cwt. f.0.r., Pukekohe, in small lots for direct railing to country storekeepers, and through store Auckland merchants are asking around 10s a cwt. for local onions. Melbourues are selling in Auckland at from 8s to 8s 6d a cwt. Although a few Southern onions may be sent here within the next fortnight, it is not, expected that any big shipments will arrive until late in April. WHEAT.

The market for wheat has had a slightly firmer tone during the past week or so. although there is still keen competition among Auckland holders nnd prices vary considerably. Many southern quotations have been withdrawn during the past day or so. Through store quotations for graded wheat, in Auckland hold steady nt from Pis f>d to fis 9d n. bushel, but. ungraded fowl wheat is selling down as low as f>a a bushel. MAIZE. Although storks of maize in the Bay of Plenty appear to be almost exhausted, there has not been any change in the market, owing largely to the comparative cheapness of wheat and the possibility of early arrivals of further consignments of maize from South Africa and .Tava. A few small parcels are already booked for shipment on the next direct steamer from the East, and there is talk of a further consignmnent from South Africa within the next six or eight weeks. Bay of Plenty maize is being offered for direct railing to country storekeepers at 4s 9d a bushel. Gisborne maize isf selling through Auckland stores at around 5s 8d a bushel. CHAFF. The market for chaff continues weak, with ample stocks held on the spot. Good bright southern is selling through Auckland stores at £8 a ton. Prospects of any further shipments of Tasmanian in the near future are not considered bright by sellers there. In spite of the fact that prices are slightly under the Auckland parity, tho margin is not big enough to attract the minimum volume of orders demanded by the shipping company before il will put on a direct steamer. OATS. The oat market continues dull and lifeless, with B Gartons selling through Auckland stores at around 3s 8d a bushel. A few orders are being received for Algerian oats for sowing for winter feed at Sa a bushel. BARLEY. Stocks of barley on the spot, are light, but a shipment of Australian is due next woek. Good quality machine-dressed barley is selling through Auckland stores around 4s a bushel. POULTRY FOODS. Proprietary lines of poultry foods are meeting with a steady demand, nlthough sales have been affected to a certain extent by the comparative cheapness of bran and pollard nnd grains. FERTILISERS. Orders continue to come forward for fertilisers for autumn top-dressing, but tho total volume of business is still well below normal. Prices are unchanged. CANTERBURY RAM FAIR. DEMAND FOR FATTENING SHEEP. [by telegraph.—press ASSOCIATION. J CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday. The Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association's ram fair was held today. There were 5505 entries. The outstanding feature of the sale of flock rams to-day was the demand for fatteniog sheep. Wool breeds were in less demand than for some years. Southdowns and English Leicester breeds suitable for fat lamb production were eagerly sought after. Wool was a secondary consideration. Tho sale for Corriedales "was very disappoint, ing. Values were: English Leicester, 1£ to 7 guineas; Southdown, to 13 guineas; Shropshire, li to 3£ guineas; Syeland; 2jf to 3 guineas; Border Leicester, to guineas; Merino, 1J to 2 guineas Lincoln, 1 to guineas; half-bred, Ito guineas; Romney Marsh, Ito guineas; Corriedale, li to 6£ guineas. AUSTRALIAN PRODUCE. (Received March 19. 9.15 p.m.) SYDNEY, March 19. The following are to-day's quotations on the Sydney produce markets:— Wheat.—lnactive; prices firmer in tone. Farmers' lots, 2s ex trucks; Is 6Jd nt country stations. Flour, unchanged. Bran, £3 15s. Pollard, £4 to £5. Potatoes. Tasmanian Brownells, £7; Bismarcks, £6 10s; Victorian, £5 10s to £6. Oats, white, 2s fid to 3s; Algerian, 2s 9d to 3s. Maize, 3s 6d. Onions, Victorian, £4 10s to £5. Adelaide prices are:—Wheat, growers' lots, 2s Oid to 2s Id. Flour, bakers' lots, £6 10s. Bran, £3 15s. , Pollard, £4 10s. ,