FRUIT AND VEGETABLES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26027, 15 December 1945, Page 5

FRUIT AND VEGETABLES

BANANA SHIPMENT DELAYED SMALLER TOMATO SUPPLIES Only a very small proportion of the banana shipment which was expected about a week ago has so far come forward, the balance having been held up in the north owing to transport difficulties. It is now doubtful whether the shipment will come to hand in time to be ripened for Ilie Christmas market. No lemons have been received this week, and r.o further supplies of oranges will arrive before Christmas. Supplies of tomatoes have eased off, and the market was much firmer at the weekend. Growers report that the cold weather has retarded ripening, and some of the very early growers have practically finished their crops. The bad weather has had a damaging effect on strawberries and cherries. Many lines of cherries have reached the market in a badly cracked condition, and these have had to be sold at low prices. On the other hand, any choice lines realise particularly good values, and everything points to a firm market for cherries next " Choice quality strawberries had a better demand at the week-end. Any lines affected by the weather have to be sold at low prices. A few black currants were on offer tins week, and supplies should increase from n °Gooseberrles are in better supply and the market is easier. The picking of gooseberries has also been affected by the weather conditions, and large quantitles have yet to reach the market. Outside-grown cucumbers are arriving from Whangarei, and hothouse grown are still realising high values. The Vegetable Market Supplies of green peas have been erratic and prices fluctuate from day to day according to the supplies cm offer. The quantity of peas on offer is not sufficient for the demand, and it is expected that the same conditions will apply ne , x^ ' v ®, as those which were met with last Christmas, namely, small quantities and high prices. Broad beans are in better supply and prices are lower. , Cauliflowers are selling well. Cabbages, although in better supply, are still realising ceiling' prices. Lettuces ait difficult to place, and this applies' even to choice quality, as the cold weathei has reduced the demand to practically nil. White turnips are in better supply, but carrots are unobtainable. Increasing supplies of new potatoes aie being received tiom Oamaru and Outram, and there is no likelihood of any shortage A few new season’s onions are airiving from Pukekohe, but the ceiling price does not encourage shipment. Retailers are also compelled to sell at prices which cannot show any margin. . ine same position rulea at this time last year, and it is difficult to see how local retailers can sell Pukekohe onions at the seme price as that ruling at the place where they are produced. Transport charges Horn Pukekohe are high, as the onions have to be carried by rail and ferry as the result of the shortage of coastal shipping, and this cost has to be borne by the wholesaler and detailer. Fruit 'markets will close on two days only at Christmas and New Year, and will be open on the Monday of each week, with sales on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Wholesale Prices Wholesale prices are as follows: Bananas: To arrive. Oranges: Sold out. Gooseberries, 4d to Gd. Hothouse tomatoes, 2s 3d to 2s 8d; local grown to 3s. Lemons: New Zealand, 20s per case (town), 19s per case (country). Strawberries: Choice, 2s 6d to 4s; jam, Is 6d to Is 9d per pottle. .. .. 2 . Cherries: Choice, 2s to 3s; others, Is 6a to 2s per lb; inferior 4d to 9d per lb. Hothouse cucumbers, 15s to 20s per doz. Green peas, 6d to 8d per lb; broad beans, 4d to 5d per lb. * , Lettuce: Choice, to 2s 6d per dozen, others, to is per dozen. Cauliflowers: Choice, to 20s per dozen. Cabbages. Spring, 16s per cwt. Spring onions, Is to Is Gd per bur.ch. Onions, f.a.q., £35 per ton Spinach, 4s to 6s. per dozen. Rhubarb. 4d to 6d per li. New potatoes North Island, to 3d per lb; local, to 4Jd per lb. White turnips, to 2s 6d per dozen. Radish, to 3s per dozen.