GRAIN AND PRODUCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22240, 15 October 1935, Page 5

GRAIN AND PRODUCE

POTATO PRICES WEAKER ADVANCE IN CHAFF VALUES WHEAT FROM AUSTRALIA The potato market is quieter after rising sharply to record heights, and prices are now about £2 a ton lower. There is a very restricted demand and little business is passing. Another feature of the grain and produce trade during the week has been a sharp advance in chaff, following an increase in the South. The first shipment of Australian wheat will arrive to-day and further quantities are expected at the end of the month and during November.

POTATOES There ib a quieter tone in the potato market and prices liave declined. There is a very limited demand, as most retailers bought lairly Heavily when prices were rising, but found that the pe'ak values caused a decline in consumption. The receding market has brought out small but hitherto invisible stocks in the South Island, and about 2500 sacks arrived by the Waipiata yesterday. Slocks should be quite sufficient to meet the demand. Increasing supplies of new potatoes are coming forward, but will not meet the demand for some weeks. On account of the unsettled state of the market prices show considerable variation, but a fair indication is given by auction prices, which yesterday were between 16s 3d and IGs Gd pei cwt. for southerns. Seed potatoes are still meeting with a good inquiry and supplies are slightly more plentiful. Vulueß are around 13s per cwt. ONIONS Inquiry for onfons is slow as heavy deliveries were made ex wharf when the last shipments arrived. Slocks are light and prices are firm at 25b per 1001b bag. For delivery ex the Innaren, which is due toward the end of next, week, quotations range from 21s 6d to 22s Gd. WHEAT The first shipment of Australian wheat purchased through the Wheat Board will arrive by the Kairanga to-day. About 6000 sacks are expected and will sell at os 6d to 6s 7d a bushel, through etore. MAIZE Merchants are experiencing great difficulty in obtaining stocks of maize nnd the market remains very firm. Prices have again advanced and maize is selling at from 5a to 5s Id a bushel, through store. These high values, however, have lessened the inquiry. BARLEY There is a sustained demand for Australian barley and clipped is selling at 4s 5d a bushel, through store. OATS AND CHAFF The market for oats is firmly steady at •Is lOd a bushel, through store. The. price is not likely to rise. aB it is approaching Australian parity. Southern prices for chaff have advanced very sharply over the past week and local values have risen by 5s to £8 a ton, through BtorC ' BEAN AND POLLARD Supplies of bran nre still short, with a continued strong demand. Australian bran is worth £7 12s 6d a ton, through store, while local is nominally quoted at £G 10s a ton o*j th« same basis. . . . The Australian pollard position is slightly firmer, but prices in Auckland are unchanged at £7 15s a ton, through store.

POTATOES FROM PUKEKOHE SUPrLIES STILL LIMITED [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT] PUKEKOHE, Monday The position as regards the digging of new potatoes at Pukekohe is unaltered, supplies still being limited. Quotations, which were unsteady last Monday at from 27s to 28s per cwt., f.o.r. Pukekohe, now stand at from 25s to 26s per cwt.

Drumhead cabbages are priced at 5s a large sack; Enfield Market cabbages, 4s a large sack; cauliflowers, 6s 6d a large sack.