TRADE OF THE WEEK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22413, 8 May 1936, Page 7

TRADE OF THE WEEK

RETAIL AND WHOLESALE BUSINESS CONTINUES BRISK WIDE RANGE OF GOODS The more optimistic note which was noticeable early this year is being well maintained, according to reports from wholesale merchants in Auckland who continue to transact a good volume of business. Another promising feature is that the demand is general and a wide range of goods is going out. The tobacco delivery for the period from May 16 to May 31 will be made to both town and country next Friday,, May 15. The retail trade continues to do steady business. Overseas conditions also are steady. New season's Tasmanian mutton birds and dried nectarines and peaches have now arrived. Asparagus prices have been named and show little alteration. TURPENTINE Latest cablegrams show a further decline in the market for turpentine. PINEAPPLES According to advice from the East, pineapples show an easing tendency, but some crudes are unchanged. CANNED CREAM Values for canned cream were increased by Is a case this week, but this' has beeD expected by local merchants for some time. EASTERN MARKETS There has been no change in the value? for saeo and tapioca, while nutmeg is slightly easier. Fepper rates are unaltered. NECTARINES AND PEACHES Th« first shipment of new season's Australian dried nectarines and peaches arrived this week in good condition and &re meeting with a fairly good demand. DRIED FRUITS Californian shippers are still accepting business for raisins and prunes at the last ruling rates, but advise that the market is very firm, with a possibility of higher values. CHERRIES Cablegrama from London shippers advise a very firm market for English cherries, both drained and crystallised, with supplies scarce, owing to the difficulty in securing the raw material. CANNED PEAS Owing to the excellent demand lately the small lOoz. size canned peas is now practically unobtainable from either packers or merchants. There is also a steady demand for the 20oz. siw. CANNED MEAT Prices for local canned meat were advanced last week by about 6 per cent for all kinds, including mutton and beefr High prices for cattle and sheep are given aa the reason for the increase. DATES All agents are now quoting new season's dates for October shipment from Busra, and as buyers are covered against a fall in the market, considerable business has been placed. Prices generally are about 6d per cwt. below the rates for last season's fruit ASPARAGUS Prices for new season's asparagus have been named on about the same basis as last year, but larger sizes show an advance. Since the announcement merchants have received cablegrams asking ..for full, requirements immediately, as the pack will be short.. The demand is steadily increasing and good business has been booked. TASMANIAN MUTTON BE&DS A small shipment of new season's Tasmanian mutton birds arrived last w«ek and larger quantities were landed by the Kaimiro. All orders are being invofced at the price indicated earlier in the year. Advice from Tasmanian shippers states that this year's pack is expected to be about normal, with prices likely to remain steady during the season. TEA The quantity catalogued for this week's Colombo tea auction totalled 2,750,0001b. and ' quality showed a slight improvement. There was a strong general demand for all grade*, especially for common sorts, which advanced Jd per lb. All other grades were firm to clearer. Next week's auction wilj,comprise 2,750.0001b. - A trade report for March states that owing to favourable climatic 'conditions for the crop, heavier supplies were available during the month. Quality generally was useful, but disappointing, in that very little standout fine tea was marketed and it declined stead ily, prices for high-grown tens falling accordingly. There was also a. decline in the prices of low-grown sorts in spite of a general good demand, and medium ports were poorly supported. The quality this year has heen' disappointing, the weather having been, against the production of fine teas, although favouring heavy crops. The rush season has started enrly this year, and very heavy crops are now being produced, but this expected to stop a little before its usual time. Suprlies during May and June may be lighterthan usual.

AUSTRALIAN PRODUCE (Received May 7, 6.35 p.m.) SYDNEY, May 7 Following are to-day's quotations on the Sydney produce market: —Wheat: At country sidings, 3s 2ld, equal to about 3s 9d ex trucks Sydney. Flour, £9 las. Bran and pollard. £6 10s. Potatoes, Tasmania, £8 to £9j others, to £7 10s. Onions, Victorian brown, £ll 10s. Maize, yellow, 4s 9d; white, 5s 2d. Adelaide prices are: Wheat, growers' lots, 3s 7£d. Flour, bakers' lots, £9 12s 6d; bran and pollard, £6 as. Oats, Algerian, Is lOd. Barley, best, Is lid.