ORANGES EXPECTED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26719, 13 March 1948, Page 3

ORANGES EXPECTED

GLUT OF TOMATOES BUYERS’ MARKET FOR MOST VEGETABLES A small shipment of Australian oranges is expected to arrive in Dunedin early next week by the Karitane, from Melbourne. A further shipment, of the Jamaican variety, is expected before Easter. There is no definite word of bananas, but it is possible that a shipment is now on its way Dunedin. A small shipment of lemons arrived yesterday, and was rationed to the retail trade. „ _ , _ Very heavy supplies of Cox s Orange apples have reached the market, but unfortunately some of the fruit is overmatured. Pears are in bettey supply. The tomato market continues to be very weak, as supplies are far in excess of requirements. Only choice quality lots are saleable, the other grades being entirely neglected bv buyers. Some tomatoes described by fruit auctioneers as of “ terrible ” quality are coming folward, and dealers say they cannot understand why growers continue to send such fruit to the market. Peaches in Short Supply Peaches are in very short supply,' but plums are offering in adequate quantities. Most lines are reaching ceiling prices. Nectarines were more plentiful this week, and prices are a little easier. Water melons from the Nelson district are plentiful. Passion fruit from the North Island are also in good supply, and grapes have cased in price for the same reason. Most varieties of vegetables are in over-supply, with the market definitely in favour of buyers. Heavy stocks of lettuce, beans, marrow, and pumpkins were held over at the marts, at the week-end. Sales were impossible, even at very low prices. Potatoes also continue to be in heavy supply. Cabbage are short of requirements, the Savoys ( being barely ready, while drumheads are nearly finished. Green peas were more plentiful at the week-end, and prices were, lower. The market could use a better supply of carrots, but swedes are- again plentiful, with lower prices ruling. Range of Prices The rates ruling at the end of the week were:— Lemons: New Zealand—town 255, country 24s a bushel. Blackberries: Cultivated. Is to Is 2d lb. Peaches: Trays,, 6d to 9d lb; cases, 8s to 10s. . Plums: Trays, to Bid lb; eases, 5s to 10s. Nectarines: Trays, Is 2d to Is 6d lb; cases, 12s to 15s. Cape gooseberries: To 11s a half-case. Grapes: 2s 6d to 3s 6d lb; inferior, Is to Is 3d lb. Passion fruit: 16s to 18s a case. Apples: Cox's Orange and Worcester Permain, 12s Gd to 13s 6d a case; cases, 9d extra, Pears: 7s 6d a half case. Tomatoes: Hothouse. 4d to 6d lb; outside grown, 2d to 4d; inferior, unsaleable. Green peas: 4d to 6d lb; inferior, to 2d lb. French beans: Id to 3d lb. Lettuce: Choice, to 2s dozen; others, unsaleable. Cabbage: 12s cwt. Cauliflowers: 6s to 9s a sack. Carrots: 5s to 7s Gd a sugar bag. Swedes: 2s 6d to 3s 6cT a sugar bag. Cucumbers: 2s to 3s a half-case. Pumpkins: To lid lb. Marrows: 4s to 6s cwt. Beetroot: to 2s dozen. Rhubarb: lid lb.