SEASONAL FRUITS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23201, 22 November 1938, Page 14

SEASONAL FRUITS

TRICES REMAIN HIGH PROSPECTS FOR CHRISTMAS SUPPLIES OF VEGETABLES SHORTAGE OF GREEN PEAS With the exception of green peas, of which there is an unseasonable shortage, fruit and vegetable supplies are reaching the Auckland markets in abundance and excellent condition. Prices are being well maintained and continue to show a good return to the various growers, while the prospects for the Christinas and early New Year supplies arc encouraging. Supplies of hist year's apples and pears are now almost finished, and prices have advanced rapidly in the last fortnight. The quality is more disappointing than that of last year, due to the adverse conditions encountered in the drying period of last summer, which has resulted in fruit failing to keep. Stunners, for instance, are usually obtainable until the second week in December, but now they are extremely short. High Prices of Strawberries Only about a-quarter of the quantity of strawberries usually available at this time is being supplied to the city markets, with consequent high prices. The average last week was 2s [)Jd a chip for Captain Cooks and Is Gd to Is 8d for Margarites. The shortage is said to be duo to. the smaller plantings and higher proportion of Captain Cooks, which are later in maturing. Growers complain that cold nights have hctd the fruit back. Gooseberries, which are quite up to the usual standard, are coming to hand from Cambridge, Hautapu and Greytown. Good prices are ruling, from 8s Cd to 10s in wholesale lots, and from 4d to 8d per lb. jn the shops. Growers expect a full harvest. More Hothouse Tomatoes Cherries have been arriving during the past week from Hastings and Wairarapa. The quantities arc seasonable and the quality quite sound. Boxes of 1011). have sold from 9s to 12s Gd, retail values being from Is 4d to Is Gd per lb. Hothouse tomatoes in increasing supplies are of exceptionally good quality and it is expected that they will be in full supply in about three weeks. Outdoor tomatoes have been planted in rather more than the usual numbers around Otahuhu and Mangere and they are in very forward condition, so that they should be on the market by midDecember. It is reported that there should be an abundance of stone fruits from the Auckland district, in addition to a reasonable crop of apples, but a shorter quantity of pears, being duo in some measure to the outbreak of fire blight. From Hawkc's Bay, which forwards considerable quantities of frnit to Auckland, it is reported that there will be light settings of Delicious and Granny Smith apples, while there will be the usual numbers of other pip fruits and rather heavier supplies of stone fruit. Potato and Green Pea Crops Light crops at Pukekoho have caused something of a shortage in new potatoes, which will bo more plentiful from now on, as they arc being dug in other districts. These are expected to meet the market right through the season. Prices have been exceptionally good, ranging from 6s to 8s a sugar bag. So far this season green peas have been in short supply at prices 20 per cent in advance of those ruling a year ago. Present rates are from 4d to Gd per lb. Prospects are now improving and supplies for December promise to be quite up to standard. Only hothouse beans have reached the market to meet with a ready demand at prices from 6d to 8d per lb. Farly outdoor beans have been retarded by the dry weather of a month ago, but this may account for'much heavier deliveries next month. Cabbages and cauliflowers are still in reasonably heavy supply, and have maintained high prices much longer than usual owing to the shortage of other fresh vegetables. Mainly last season's root crops are still being sold, and it is not expected that new goods will arrive until after Christmas. The position has been eased by the appearance of vegetable marrow in the last 10 days. The first cucumbers of the season from Whangarei realised 8s to 10s a dozen.