KEEN DEMAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26713, 6 March 1948, Page 3

KEEN DEMAND

FRUIT AND VEGETABLES COX’S ORANGE APPLES RELEASED Business in the fruit marts in Dunedin was brisk this week after a dull fortnight. A keen demand existed for almost every line offered. The market for tomatoes was firm early in the week, but supplies increased at the week-end, and prices were easier. Tomatoes of poor quality are still difficult to place and are scarcely worth sending to the marts. Nectarines have been realising exceptional values. Peaches and plums are again being rationed to the trade at ceiling rates. The first Cox’s Orange apples of the season were released this week in good condition. Sales are reported to be particularly good. The public has had a surfeit of Gravenstein apples during the past few weeks, and this variety has given all concerned with its handling a problem owing to the over-maturity of the fruit. Gravensteins are now finished for the season, and the market will be dependent on Cox’s Orange and Worcester Permains during the next few weeks. Few Pears Offering Few pears are offering, but increased supplies are expected from now onwards. Passion fruit from the North Island is in good supply, and small lines of Cape gooseberries are arriving from Nelson. The market for grapes has shown a sharp advance. Lettuce of choice quality are realising high values. Cabbage and cauliflower are not over-plentiful. Green peas and French and runner beans are bringing better prices, after a period of low values. Pumpkins and marrows are both in over-supply, and carrots are also selling at lower rates. Swedes have a better demand than usual. Range of Prices The rates ruling at the end of the week were.— Lemons: New Zealand—town 25s Id, country 24s a bushel. Raspberries, 12s to 15s a bucket. Blackberries: Cultivated, Is to Is 2d lb. Peaches: Trays, 6d to 9d lb; cases, 8s to 10s. Plums: Trays, to B}d lb; cases, 5s to 10s. Nectarines: Trays, Is 4d to Is 8d lb; cases. 14s to 19s. . . Cape gooseberries, to 11s a half-case. Grapes, 3s 3d to 4s 3d lb. Passion fruit, to 20s a case. Apples: Cox’s Orange, Worcester Permain, Gravenstein, all 12s 6d to 13s 6d a case; cases, 9d extra. Pears, 7s 6d a half-case. Tomatoes: Hothouse, 5d to 8d lb; outside grown, 3d to 6d; inferior, 2s a case. Green peas, 4d to 8d lb; inferior, to 3d lb. French beans, 2d to 5d lb. Lettuce: Choice, to 6s 6d dozen; others, to 2s 6d dozen. Cabbage, 12s cwt. Cauliflowers, 6s to 9s a sack. Carrots, 5s to 7s 6d a sugar bag. Swedes, 2s 6d to 3s 6d a sugar bag. Cucumbers, 2s to 3s a half-case. Pumpkins, to 2d ib. Marrows, 5s to 7s cwt. Beetroot, to 2s dozen. Rhubarb, lid lb.