APPLE PRICES REDUCED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25173, 13 March 1943, Page 3

APPLE PRICES REDUCED

STONE FRUIT SEASON ENDING TOMATO MARKET FIRM Steady supplies of apples, mainly Cox’s Orange Pippins, have been reaching the marts each day. Much lower values have been fixed by the Marketing Department, and the demand is now in excess of the supply, so that consignments have had to be rationed to retailers each day. The market could actually absorb double the quantity of apples at present arriving without any difficulty. Jonathans should be on the market .next week, and cookers should also become more plentiful. Pears are also being rationed to retailers. Cookers are slow of sale, with prices fixed at the same level as that ruling for dessert varieties. Nectarines are almost finished for the season, -md the small quantities coming forward are realising high values. Dessert plums are having a keen inquiry. Higher prices are ruling for plums than for many seasons past. Peaches are selling readily, and growers must be well satisfied with their returns. A few buckets of raspberries are still offering from Pine Hill. The demand has now slackened off. Tomatoes are not so plentiful, but prices are unchanged. The peak of the tomato season appears to be past, tand the market may be expected to show a sharp advance at any time now. Tomatoes for army requirements are being grown by the Army Department in North Canterbury, and it is understood that the department is also hopeful of securing supplies from its operations at Oamaru and Outram. It depends on weather conditions from now on, however, whether the tomatoes in the Outram district will ripen fully. Small lots of New Zealand-grown lemons are being received. These have to be rationed, mostly in half-case lots. The quality of the New Zealand lemons has Improved considerably. Only one grade (commercial) is now being packed. A few quinces are coming forward, and this is an indication that the stone fruit season Is ending.

Hothouse and outside-grown cucumbers are plentiful with low prices ruling. Cabbages and cauliflowers are in good supply. Choice lettuces have a better inquiry. Carrots are in better supply, and the market is easier. Swedes have a steady inquiry. Canterbury onions are now available at a reduction in prices. Marrows and pumpkins are in steady supply. Choice quality peas have a better inquiry, but inferior are hard to place. Supplies are hardly sufficient for the demand. Runner beans are in good supply. Wholesale prices are as follows: Apples: Cox’s Orange Pippins,' 6s 6d to 9s 6d per case; other desserts, 5s 6d to 8s 6d; cookers, 5s 6d to 7s 6d. Pears: Dessert and cooking, all varieties, 12s 6d per case; 6s 3d per half-case. Lemons: New Zealand, 14s 9d to 22s per case, according to count. Oranges: Unobtainable. Peaches;, Crates, 4d to 6d per lb; cases, 4s 6d to 7s; extra choice, to 8s 6d. Plums: Dessert, 5d to 9d per lb; cases, dessert, 6s 6d to 10s; cooking, 3s 6d to 4s 6d.

Quinces, 4s to 5s per half case. Nectarines: Crates, 5d to 9d per lb; cases, 6s 6d to 10s.

Tomatoes: Local hothouse, 8d to lid per lb; Christchurch, 6d to 9d; outside-grown, 3d to 6jd. Cabbage, 2s. to 2s 6d per cental bag. Cauliflowers, 3s 6d to 5s per bag. Lettuce: Choice, to Is 6d per dozen; Inferior, unsaleable. Carrots, lid to 2d per lb. Pumpkins, lid to 2id per lb. Parsnips, to 2id per lb. Swedes, 2s to 2s 6d per sugar bag. Spinach, to 2s per dozen. Marrows, to Ud per lb. Cucumbers: Hothouse, 3s to 5s perdoz.; outside-grown, 2s 6d to 3s per half-case. Green peas: Choice, to 4Jd' per lb; others, Id to 2d. Beans: French, to 4d per lb; runner, 2d to 3d.

Onions: Canterbury, 12s per cental bag. Potatoes, 6s to 8s per cwt. Market very weak.