GRAIN AND PRODUCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22464, 7 July 1936, Page 5

GRAIN AND PRODUCE

TRADE IN AUCKLAND

POTATOES AGAIN CHEAPER

DECLINE IN FOWLWHEAT

A marked weakness in prices for potatoes marked operations in grain and produce in Auckland during the last week. In spite of recent fairly heavy falls the price again declined, dropping 15s a ton. There lias been a decrease of 27s 6d a ton during the past month. Fowlwhenfc also is cheaper, values having fallen Id a bushel to 5s lOd through store. Other prices show no alteration. Merchants report that business is quiet, as trading in the principal items, potatoes, fowlwlieat and pollard, is being done in a falling market POTATOES There has been a further distinct weakening in the potato position owing to a slackening in the local demand and the lack of export inquiry. Trices have again fallen, current rates being £7 Os a ton through store for whites, a drop of 10s since last week. The market also is lower in the South Island and indications point to the downward tendency being continued. ONIONS , Business in onions is quiet and merchants are only dealing in local supplies from hand to mouth as the deterioration is heavy. Values show no alteration at about 3s (id a bag, through store, with a slight premium for good quality sorts. FOWLWHEAT. Following recent weakness in the Southern market for fowlwheat, there has been a reduction of Id n bushel in the price for graded, which now stands at 5s lOd a bushel, through store. There are still ample supplies, and undergrade is being sought at about 3d a bushel less than graded. MAIZE Limited supplies of new season's maize are now coming forward, but these are of a quality which necessitates quick disposal. There has been a better demand for imported. It is not expected that further shipments from South Africa will be landed after the September quantity, as this market has a firming tendency, and will be unable to compete favourably with local stocks. Imported maize is now selling at (is (id a bushel, through store, and local at (is 3d, both rates being unchanged. BARLEY Merchants are carrying sufficient stocks of Australian barley to meet the steady demand. The market is unchanged at Is od a bushel, through store. OATS AND CIIAFF The Southern market for oats is firm and it is difficult to obtain reasonable quotations. Merchants expect the price to advance later, but at present it is unaltered at 4s 3d a bushel, through store. There is also a firming tendency in chaff at the unchanged price of £8 7s (id a ton, through store. Merchants have received advice that shipments may be arranged from Tasmania for August-September arrival at a rate which is about equivalent to current values. It appears, therefore, that the market cannot advance to any great extent with this competition. BRAN AND POLLARD Since the recent reduction in the prico of pollard there has been an improved demand, but sufficient stocks are held to meet this inquiry. There is no change in the value of Australian of £0 2s (id a ton, through store, while the local price as fixed by the Wheat Committee is at the unaltered level of £7 a ton. Bran continues quiet at last week s level j of £0 15s a ton, through store. PUKEKOHE QUOTATIONS [fbom our own correspondent] PUKEKOHE, Monday The demand for onions at Pukekohe is quiet, with supplies selling at from £7 5s to £8 10s a ton. This level has ruled for some weeks. Green vegetables are selling exceptionally well, and at reduced rates on last week's quotations. Fairly heavy supplies of extra good quality cabbages and caulitlowers are available.

All heart cabbages are quoted at 6s 6d a large sack; Drumhead cabbages, 6s 6d a large sack; Savoy cabbages, 5s 9d to 7s 6d a sack, cauliflowers, os 9d to 6s 6d a large sack; pumpkins, 5s 9d to 6s 6d a cwt.; carrots, parsnips and beetroot, 3s 6d to 4s a sugar bag; white turnips, 3s 6d a , super sack; swedes, 3s 3d a super sack; celery, 2s 6d a dozen bundles; cauliflower plants. 10s a 1000; cabbage plants, 7s 6d a 1000.

BRITAIN'S TRADE

LARGER EMPIRE PORTION

Imports into the United Kingdom from British countries during the first quarter of 1936 amounted in value to 40.72 per cent of the total from all souyces, compared with 39.38 per cent in the March quarter, 1935, and 30.69 per cent in the corresponding period of 1924. Exports of British produce to Empire destinations accounted for 48.40 per cent of the value of total shipments, compared with 46.20 and 40.94 per cent respectively, and re-exports of imported merchandise to British countries for 16.24 per cent, against 17.62 and 17.54 per cent respectively.