PRODUCE MARKETS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21968, 27 November 1934, Page 5

PRODUCE MARKETS

TRADE IN AUCKLAND QUIET TONE CONTINUES RISE IN ONION PRICES The grain and produce trade in Auckland is very quiet, and is expected to remain so until after Christmas, when the new season's crops will come forward. Merchants are engaged in clearing stocks, particularly of old potatoes, for which the demand has slackened following easier values for tho new variety. As no moro supplies of imported onions will be available, tho market is very firm pending the arrival of tho local crop in a few weeks' time. POTATOES The potato market is at present in a stage of transition, as the eenson for old potatoes is nearing 'tho close. Only a very sinull shipment arrived by the Wingatui from the South Island during the week. Old potatoes are still meeting with a slight demand, but holders are prepared to accept very low rates to clear. Although the Benson is well advanced there are still good quality potatoes available, but care has to be exercised in their selection. Prices range from £2 to £4 a ton, through store, according to quality.. New potatoes are coming forward in heavier quantities and are meeting with a good demand. It would appear that growers are anxious to clear the first crop in order to make room for the next. More rain is urgently required. Through auction new potatoes are worth from 3s to 4s a bag. ONIONS A steady demand continues for onions and, as the keeping quality of some imported lines has not been altogether satisfactory, the market has become considerably firmer. No further shipments of Canadian onions are expected. The local crop is not likely to be sufficiently matured until January, but silver skin and green onions should make their appearance in about three weeks. Grown and snotted Canadian onions are worth around 15s to 16s per 1001b. bag, through etore but for good quality holders are asking as much as £l. FOWLWHEAT The market for fowlwheat is very firm and shows an increase of from Id to 2d a bushel over the week. The through store value i? round 5s 3Q a bushel. The price, is likely to remain firm until new season's is ready. MAIZE A steady demand continues for maize. Although holders in the Bay of Plenty are somewhat reluctant to accept ruling values, ample supplies are coming forward. Prices remain firm at from 4s to 4s 2d a bushel, through store. A report from the Bay of Plenty states that the plants are making very satisfactory headway, and on the whole conditions for maize crops have been much moro favourable than last year. BARLEY Spot stocks of Australian barley are becoming low and the present f.o.b. price prohibits further importations. New season's will be available in Australia next month and indications point to increased rates. Holders of supplies in the South Island are inclined to accept lower values, . but the quality is not equal to Australian, The market for clipped is firm at about 4s 2d to 4s 3d a bushel, through store. - OATS AND CHAFF Quiet conditions prevail in the market for oats, which is a little weaker at about 3s 3d a bushel, through store. The demand for chaff is very slow, with prices at from £7 10s to £7 15s a ton, through store. Reduced prices are indicated for new season's crop. BRAN AND POLLARD The Australian market for pollard is firm, while the local position is unchanged. Both local and imported sorts are worth around JE6 15s a ton, through store. Bran .is steady at about £6 a ton on the same basis.