TRADE OF THE WEEK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21295, 23 September 1932, Page 5

TRADE OF THE WEEK

RETAIL AND WHOLESALE BETTER TONE MAINTAINED PRODUCE MARKET REVIEW A brighter tone continues to dcyminate the trade outlook in the city, with business on a~steady basis. Activity among distributing houses during the week has ' been centred in deliveries on next month' 3 account, orders for which have come in \ well. Prices in overseas markets continue to display an upward trend. Afc the moment, merchants are keeping a watch- ' ful eye on stocks owing to the possibility of an early alteration in duties. In the grain and produce trade a shortage lias again developed in onions, and merchants are awaiting the arrival of Canadian supplies, which will come to hand early next month. The position in the potato market is quieter, but prices are firm. JAMS Manufacturers' quotations for first and second grade jamß were reduced yesterday by approximately Id a lb. VEGETABLE OILS Uio market for all classes of vegetable oils is firmer and reports state that further advances are to bo expected. As this is the season for importation of these oils buyers ere showing considerable interest. TURPENTINE A very firm market is reported for American turpentine, with values slightly nigher than the last-namod r;itos. PEPPER AND SPICES No change has occurred in the market for peppers and spices, although a slightly firmer tendency is in evidence. Owing to the fact that it will be nearly three months before the next direct Eastern steamer, buyers are not particularly interested at the moment. CANNED PEAS Reductions are announced in wholesale prices of New Zealand canned peas. Rates for lloz. sizes have been lowered 6d a dozen and 21oz. sizes by Is 6d a dozen. ALMONDS After an advance last week, prices for Jordan almonds have again hardened, cables from London advising agents of a rise of £5 a ton foi prompt shipment. This is practically the last opportunity for bookings for the Christmas trade. The market for Sicily almonds is showing a firmer tendency, rates having been further advanced during the week. "WALNUT MEAT Prices for new season's supplies of Manchurian walnut meat have been declining for the past few weeks and present offers are considered most favourable to buyers. As there are still heavy stocks of lagt eea--6?, n, 3 ? n hand, only limited Business is possible in the meantime. TEA At this week's tea auction at Colombo, 1,750,0001b. were offered. Quality in some estates showed a slight improvement. There was a fair general demand, but all grades were rather easier. Exchange is quoted at Is 6 E-16d t.o tho rupee. Next week's auction will amount to 2,000,0001b. Advice from Calcutta states that nt, this week's auction all low grades were steady, with others irregular and rather easy. In regard to last week's official crojp figure for July, this showed a decrease of 1,000,0001b., making a total increase of 4,500,0001b. to the end of the month, as compared with last year. Last week a total decrease of 4,500,0001b. was shown. PINEAPPLES Singapore pineapples remain steady and it is considered difficult to gauge what turn the market is likely to take until indications of the new crop are received. Slices, which are in very short supply owing to the demand, are now higher than cubes. This is very unusual and can be accounted for only by the fact that presentcrop supplies havg become nearly exhausted. EASTERN PRODUCTS A report from Singapore this week indicates that the market, for sago and tapioca is showing an easier tendency for shipment in November-December. Nutmegs show a slight hardening. Java kernels are a little easier for shipment by the Novem-ber-December direct steamer. RAISINS The market for new season's Thompson's seedless raisins continues very firm and for forward business still higher rates are being asked by Californian shippers. Seeded raisins in cartons are still being auoted at the low rates previously advised, shippers being prepared to accept for spread delivery at current rates. POTATOES The position in the potato market is satisfactory. Supplies Bre about equal to requirements, with the market fairly steady. Prices during the week ranged between £9 and £9 103 a ton through store. The market next week will depend upon the quantities arriving by the Waimarino. The Southern market is slightly weaker, compared with the position three days ago. A well-sustained demand continues for seed potatoes and the price of some of the main varieties has been advanced 10s to £1 a ton during the week. ONIONS The onion market is again practically bare of supplies. Most merchants' stocks are exhausted and the market is awaiting the arrival of the Canadian shipments on October 3. It is almost certain that prices will remain high. FOWL WHEAT At present it is reported difficult to buy graded fowlwheat, the demand being supplied principally by under-grade lines. Values range from 5s 6d a bushel upward through store. . Orders for Australian wheat are being booked for delivery ex the first shipment, which is due early in October at 5s 9d a bushel on rail. MAIZE The market for maize is steady. A fair demand is being experienced, the bulk of the business being done by direct rail from the Bay of Plenty. OATS The oat market is quiet and the demand veiy slack. B GaHons are worth 4s 3d a bushel, and A Cartons 4s Sd a bushel through store. A fairly steady demand is being experienced for chaff. Prices remain around £8 10s to £8 15s a ton. AUSTRALIAN BARLEY Australian barley continues in good demand, owing possibly to the fact, that the quality of wheat at present available is not, good. Clipped barley is worth 4s 3d a. bushel through storo and undressed 3s 9d to 3s 10d ' BRAN AND POLLARD Both bran and pollard remain in firm demand, inquiry for bran, if anything, being a little easier than that, for the last few weeks. Prices are unaltered. BASIC SLAG The market overseas for basic slag is very firm. Bookings are being made steadily for next autumn delivery. RABBITSKIN SALE BETTER PRICES OBTAINED A keen demand for rabbitskins was evident at tho last, salo held by Dalgety and Company, Limited, in Dunedin last week. In spite of tho quality of tho winter skins being much poorer than at earlier sales, prices were 3d to 6d a lb. higher than at the previous sale. Tho company reports:— Inferior sorts, fiuch as summers, springs, etc., which some weeks ago were selling at from Id to 4d, have been steadily advancing in price, and ore now bringing from 4d to lOd. All winter soils met with a good demand, and best spoiled are Bellin;; at about 20d against 12d earlier in the season. Prices for winter grades now range from about 16d to 44d. and at these values skins should be well worth selling. We certainly do not recommend holding skins any longer, as with tho quality going off rapidly now we ore afraid overseas orders may cease at any time. The range of prices was as follows: Runners, to 43d per lb; summers, 4}d; first milky, 12Jd; second, 7d; summer broken, 4id; third winter, 10Jd; second, 13Jd; first, 141 cl; prime racks, 7Jd: light, 7Jd; dawny autumns, 9Jd; early. 12Jd: late, 18} d; incoming winters, 21d; early winter bucks, 23d; does, 24d; second winter bucks, 29Jd; first, 39? d; prime winter, 43id; second winter does. 271 d: first winter, 38 id; prime winter. 43d ; late winter, 2GJd: first outgoing does, 24 Id ; second. 17 J cl; stained outgoing does. lOd: autumns, spotted. 9}d: late autumns, 11 id ; incomings, 14-id: early winters, 16d; first, 20Jd; second, 165 d; second winter blacks. l"id; first winter. 241 d; autumn fawns, 6d; winter, 38Jd; Bprings, lOJd; Email, 2}d; hareskins, 3d; horsehair, 12d.