CITY FRUIT MARTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26748, 17 April 1948, Page 3

CITY FRUIT MARTS

BUSINESS QUIETER RESULT OF COLDER WEATHER Business was quieter in the Dunedin fruit marts this week. The colder weather has caused a reduction in the supply of most lines. Dessert apples are in steady supply, but the quality leaves much to be desired, as the bulk of the offerings are windfalls from Nelson. Cooking apples are in good supply, but sales are on the slow side. Small lines of peaches are on offer, but have only a fair inquiry. No pears are being received at the marts. It is some time since a line of a good size was delivered. The supplies of tomatoes are slackening. The ceiling price was removed yesterday and lines showing a good colour met with a good inquiry. Rough tomatoes and those of poor colour, however, are selling at low prices. Choice dessert plums are realising satisfactory rates, but those for cooking grades are on the low side. Passion fruit and tree tomatoes arc both plentiful at prices lower than those obtained last year. A shipment of bananas is expected to arrive early next week. Quinces are in good supply, but are slow of sale. Grapes are also arriving steadily. The prices are unchanged. Higher values are being realised for cauliflowers, as supplies are short. Cabbage also are stili short of requirements, and are bringing ceiling prices. Marrows and pumpkins are in heavy supply, and prices will show little return to growers. Celery from Christchurch is also in excess of requirements, and prices are easier. Green peas are not plentiful, and rates have shown a sharp advance. Carrots, swedes,- and parsnips are now in better supply. Range of Prices The rates ruling at the end of the week were:— Lemons.—New Zealand grown: Town, 2os a bushel; country, 245. Grapefruit.—Jamaican: Town, 46s 6d a case; country, 43s 6d. Oranges.—Jamaican: Town, 52s Gd; country, 49s 6d. Bananas. —Green. 31s a case. Quinces, 3s to 5s a half-case. Peaches.—Trays, 6d to 9d lb; cases, 6s to 10s. Cape gooseberries, to 7s a half-case. Pears, 7s Gd a half-case. Grapes, 3s to 3s fid lb; Gros Colmars, to 5s lb. Apples.—Jonathan. 12s Gd to 13s Gd a case; cookers, 12s to 13s; cases, 9d extra. Tomatoes.—Hotltou.se, 9d to Is lb; outside grown. 4d to fid; cooking, to fid. Green peas, 6d to lOd lb; inferior, 4d. French and runner beans, 4d to Gd lb. Lettuce: Choice, to 4s 6d a dozen; others, Is to 2s. Carrots, 4s to 5s a sugar bag, Cabbage, 12s Gd cwt. Cucumbers, 3s to 4s a half-case. Pumpkins, to ljd lb. Marrows, 5s to 7s cwt. Beetroot, to 2s a dozen. Celery, 6s to 12s a dozen heads. Silver beet, 15s cwt. Leeks, 9d to Is a bundle.