FRUIT AND VEGETABLES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26043, 5 January 1946, Page 7

FRUIT AND VEGETABLES

ERRATIC PERIOD EXPERIENCED SUPPLY EXCEEDS DEMAND Another erratic week has been experienced in the fruit marts owing to the holidays, but next week the market' should settle ■ down to steadier prices. The demand for both fruit and vegetables has been weak, and prices have been much lower than during the Christmas period. Good supplies of cherries are now on offer, with prices much lower than previously. , , . Peaches are in better supply, and choice dessert lines are meeting with a ready sale. Inferior and immature lines, however, are ottering at low prices. Ripe apricots are selling well, but any small or green fruit Is realising much lower values.

Choice quality plums from Canterbury have had an excellent inquiry. The varieties on offer are Wright’s Early, Sharps and a few cherry plums, the lastnamed being mainly on the green side. Black currants were difficult to sell during the holidays, but the demand is now improving. Gooseberries are still selling at satisfactory rates. The demand for strawberries eased considerably, and prices are now about half of those ruling last week. Tomatoes are in much heavier supply, and the market is easier. Prices in Christchurch have been considerably below those ruling in Dunedin, but the two markets should adjust themselves soon. Cucumbers are still selling well. Supplies are reaching the market from Canterbury. . Raspberries are now on offer from Wainiate. They were selling at lower prices during the New Year, but the market has now firmed and ceiling prices arc being obtained. The Vegetable Market

Green peas, which have maintained high values for some time, are now in full supply, and prices were very low at the week-end. Next week should see a steadying in values, as most of the holiday-makers will have returned to the city. Potatoes are in good supply, and prices are below ceiling. Cauliflowers are in short supply, and cabbages have also been short of requirements since business was resumed on Thursday. Broad beans are now selling at low prices. White turnips are in good supply, but new season's carrots and onions are practically unobtainable. Lettuces have a good demand. Small quantities of rhubarb are coming forward, but the demand has eased oft as the result of better supplies of stone fruit.

Wholesale Prices Wholesale prices arc as follows: 'Raspberries, to 13s 6d per tin. Plums: Dessert, to Is per lb; cooking, 3d to 6d per lb. Apricots, 6d to Is per lb. Peaches: Choice, to Is per lb; others, 5s to 9s per case. Bananas: Sold out. Oranges; Sold out. Gooseberries, 3d to sd. Hothouse tomatoes, Is 9d to 2s 3d; localgrown, to 2s 6d. Lemons:. Unobtainable. Strawberries: Choice, 2s to 3s; jam, to Is 6d per pottle. Cherries: Choice, 2s to 3s; others, Is to Is 3d per lb. Hothouse cucumbers, 12s to 18s per dozen. . . . Green peas, 4d to 6d per lb; broad beans, 3d to 4d per lb. Lettuce: Choice, to 2s 6d per dozen; others, to Is per dozen. Cauliflowers. Choice, to 18s per dozen. Cabbages: Spring, 9s per cwt. Spring onions, Is to Is 6d per bunch. Onions, f.a.q., £2B per ton. Rhubarb, to 5d per lb. New potatoes, to 3d per Jb. White turnips, to Is 6d per dozen. Radish, to Is 6d per dozen.