FRUIT AND VEGETABLES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25505, 8 April 1944, Page 2

FRUIT AND VEGETABLES

ONLY COOKING APPLES IN SUPPLY Only Jonathan apples have been available in the Dunedin markets during the week, and although Cox's Orange were dropped in price by 3s per case on Monday last no supplies of this variety have been on offer. Only a few cooking apples, Jonathans, have been available, and the sales of these were disappointing throughout the week, buyers taking supplies only on a hand-to-mouth basis. ) Only small quantities of pears have been on the market, and these have been rationed to the trade. There will be a small shipment of bananas available immediately following the Easter holidays. Small lots of New Zealand lemons have been rationed to retailers.

There have been good inquiries for peaches, the supplies of which have been much heavier than during the past two or three weeks. Satisfactory prices have been ruling, but the market was veryweak on Thursday.

Nectarines are finished for the season. Dessert and cooking plums have had a good inquiry. Tomatoes were in keen demand early in the week with supplies hardly sufficient for the demand. Supplies improved later, and the market was considerably easier on Thursday, the inclement weather being mainly responsible for the poor inquiry. A few blackberries are on offer, but the season is practically over. Rhubarb has had a better inquiry. Cucumbers are not so plentiful, and the market is firmer. . . , . , Hothouse grapes are still relatively high in price. Jam melons and quinces have had a steady inquiry. Over-supply of Vegetables The vegetable market continues to be over-supplied, with unpayable prices ruling for most lines. Marrows and pumpkins have been in full supply. There is a keen demand for carrots and parsnips, which are being taken up at the new ceiling rates. Swedes are in heavy supply. Cauliflowers are realising satisfactory prices, but there is still a glut of cabbages on the market. Choice quality lettuces are wanted, but poor grades are difficult to place. The local fruit and vegetable market will not resume operations until Wednesday morning. Wholesale Prices Wholesale prices are as follows: — Lemons: New Zealand, 14s to 20s 6d per case. Oranges and bananas: Sold out. 'Apples: Dessert, 6s to 8s; cooking, 4s. Pears: Dessert, 12s 6d per bushel case; cooking, 10s 6d per bushel case. Peaches: Choice, to 10s per case; others, 4s to 6s per case; trays, to 5s 8d„ Plums: Choice dessert, 8s to 10s per case; others, 5s to 7s per case. Blackberries: Cultivated, to 12s per bucket; wild, 6d to 8d per lb. Rhubarb: To 2d per lb. „ J Cucumbers: Hothouse, 4s to 8s dozen; outside-grown, to 5s 6d per case Tomatoes: Choice, 4d to 84d per lb; others, 2d to 3d per lb; local hothouse, to Bid per lb. Grapes: 3s to 4s per lb. Passion fruit: 15s to 20s per case. Jam melons: ljd per lb. Water melons: 4d to 5d per lb. Quinces: 8s to 10s per bushel case. Cabbages: Is to Is 6d per bag; cauliflowers, 4s to 6s per bag; lettuce, choice to 2s 6d per dozen: others unsaleable; carrots, 10s to 11s per cwt; marrows, 4s to 6s per cwt; pumpkins. Id lb; beetroot, 11s per dozen; swedes, 2s per sugar bag; green peas, 6d to 8d; inferior quality unsaleable; French and runner beans, 5d to 8d per lb; potatoes, 10s per cwt.