FRUIT AND PRODUCE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLI, Issue 9249, 17 January 1916, Page 2

FRUIT AND PRODUCE

WELLINGTON MARKETS Excellent supplies of tomatoes, a great proportion of which are outdoor-grown, are coming to hand from the Nelson: district, added to which email lots of hothouse are coming in from the Hutt. There has been a slight advance in price during the last day or two, but values must now rule at nominal levels with the bulk of the outside to be marketed. Only early varieties of locally-grown apples are arriving, and these meet with a good reception, consistent with quality; cookers are in fair deijiand. There is a keen inquiry for black currants, and excellent rates are ruling. The same remark applies to raspberries, which have not been in such plentiful supply this season. With the exception of one or two varieties of plums the quantity arriving is heavy, Burbanks in particular being in great evidence. Apricots are in better sale, whilst nectarines are in good supply and selling fairly well. The early William variety of pear is ■ commanding good attention, with supplies on the moderate side. Heavy quantities of peaches are now coming forward from all quarters and the market is ruling at a nominal level, with supplies likely to continue heavy. What small marketings of grapes are being marketed seU readily. Passion fruit, cither white or ordinary descriptions, is in strong demand. A direct shipment of Fijian bananas is due here on the 18th inst., and in view of the strong demand at last sales for this fruit there should be a good outlet. Cook Island bananas are due oh the 27th inst.. and these should also command good attention. - Apples, choice dessert 6a 6d to < s fid cose, prime 5s to 6s; cookers, choice 4a 6d to 5s 6d case, prime 3s 6d to 4s; peaches, choice 4s to 4e fid, others 2s fid to 3s 6di passions. 6s to 8s; raspberries. 7s tp’Bs bucket; black currants, 8s to 9a; apricots, choice 5s fid to 6s halfcase. prime 4s to ss; plums, choice favourites 4; to ss, others 2s 6d to 4s; nectarines, 4s to 4s 9d half-case; tomatoes, 9s to 10s case, prime 6s fid'to 7s 6d half-case-POTATOES AND ONIONS. There is very little to report in connection with the' market for potatoes. Supplies we arriving, fairly freely from the Wellington province and southern quart era are drawing small supplies from here pending South Island tubers being available in sufficient quantities to meet their requirements, Those should: be available for shipment ere long, when th« market should decline. Onions are arriving weekly from Victoria pending New Zealand anions being available. These should be on the market within at week or two. Potatoes, choice 10s to i6B per ton; onions, £6 to £7. , , OTHER VEGETABLES. A strong market is ruling for almost every line of vegetables. Oaidiflowers are particularly scarce, whilst cabbages have advanced considerably in price. Lettuce is also in strong demand, with marrows keenly inquired after. Cauliflowers, choice 7s to 9s sack, prime 4s to sa; cabbages, choice 9s to 11s sack, prime Gs to 8s; swedes, 5a to 5e 6d; marrows, 6s 6d to 7s 6d; lettuce, choice 4s to os case, primp Ji'af 6d to Ss 6d; french beans, 2d to 3d lb; cucumbers, 2s to 5s dozen; green peas, 9a to 11s 6d; carrots, 4s Gd bo 6s 6d sack; beetroot, 4s 6d to 6s 6d sack; parsnips,- choice 8s to 9s sack; spinach. 4s to 5s ease. ■ EGGS.

The market is now receiving fairly large quantities, and is showing a weaker tone at is 3d to. Is 4d per dozen, POULTRY.

A good demand exists generally for all descriptions of birds. Fowls, hqwever, have been fairly much in evidence lately. Roosters, choice young 4s fid to 5q pair. Others 3s 6d to 4s; hens, good heavy 4s to 4a 6d. others Ss to 3s 6d; ducks, 4g fid to 6s 6d pair, according to description; turkeys, gobblers 18s to 22s pair, hens 8e to 19s.