DEARER VEGETABLES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22030, 9 February 1935, Page 12

DEARER VEGETABLES

SHORTAGIi STILL APPARENT

PRICES NEARLY DOUBLED

The recent rain has not yet been able to counteract the effects of the preceding dry spell, as far as market hardeners arc concerned, and vegetable prices remain at an abnormally high level. The rales in many cases are from 70 to 100 per cent above those ruling this time las; year. Cabbages, vhich sold at from 3d to 6d each in retail stores in February, 1934, are now 6d to lOd each. Similarly, peas, which were 2d to 4d a lb. last February, are now 4d to 6d. Even greatei increases have occurred in the case of carrots, piarsnips, beet, spinach, spring onions and turnips, which sold ai from Id to lid a bunch last summer, and which are now priced at from 2d to 4d. Potatoes aro 2sd a lb., compared with lid a year ago, while kumaras have increased from 3Jd to od a lb.

Most lines of green vegetables are coming from the Ohakune district, local supplies haviag been seriously retarded by the dry conditions prevailing up to this week.

According to a Queen Street retailer the effect of the recent rain will not be noticed in the markets for about a fortnight, when local supplies should again come forward, with a consequent reduction in prices.