THE POTATO MARKET

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11932, 12 September 1924, Page 2

THE POTATO MARKET

DROP IN PRICES LIKELY. IMPORTATION FROfflx AUSTRALIA. Owing to the fact that large importations of Australian potatoes have been received at Auckland in addition to 1 shipments of South Island potatoes by the Wingatui, Navua and Hakanoa, it is very probable that any further shipments of old potatoes from Canterbury will be diverted to Wellington, a “Times” reporter was informed in the market yesterday. “There is practically a glut in Auckland' at the present time, for another shipment' arrived there on Tuesday, and the Kawatiii is going to Melbourne for another cargo purbhas&d at £2 10s ■per ton, f.0.b.” NEW POTATOES DOMING. Wellington merchants have also received advioe from growers at Puke■kohe that they are now digging new potatoes, and are prepared to supply the market. Already small supplies have been received, and these have been fetching 4d to Sjd per lb, but the quantity from this quarter is not sufficient to affect prices, and for the present Auckland is the main source of supply. Over 100 bags of new potatoes were sold up north last weekend. DROP IN THREE WEEKS P With the certainty of large quantities of South Island potatoes being diVertedl to Wellington it was quite likely that there would he a drop in the price of old potatoes in two or three Weeks’ time. Present prices in the market are £6 10s to £7 15s, but prices may drop to £S or £4 a ton. “But once there is a slump in old potatoes the public do not want them, and are prepared to pay three or four times the price for new ones, even though they may not really he able to afford it,” added the merchant. “There Won’t be many new _ potatoes yet awhile, and present prices will remain fairly firm until supplies are considerably increased.” A few thousand sacks _of Australian 'potatoes arrived in Wellington by the 'Moeraki and these will have some effect on the price of the Canterbury potatoes. The season for old potatoes will ho over in about another month. Bakers do take a certain quantity of them, but the few dozen sacks they Use does not make an appreciable difference. There is a sprinkling of early vegetables, and 1 these are meeting with a good demand, and are making good prices in the main markets.