THE BREADSTUFFS AND PRODUCE MARKETS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2927, 20 April 1910, Page 20

THE BREADSTUFFS AND PRODUCE MARKETS.

Friday. The latest advices state that the- Home market is retaining- the tone manifested some little time since. During' the week sales of cargoes have, taken place at 39s 6d, the quantity of Australian wheat involved in these transactions being 28,000 quarters of January-February shipment. The Australian position shows a slight easiness, on the , week, . and the local market retains late rates. "Beerbohm" of March 4- writes: "The world's visible supply .of wheat —particulars of which are given ..below—show that the increase on the month of February has amounted to only 785,000qr5, against an increase last year of 1,200, OOOqrs, and in 1908 of l,3oo*,oooqrs. On the otheu. hand, it is known that there is much more wheat left over from the world's crop of 1909 than from thai of 1908, and it would appeal- to principally depend on how the growing oroos come through the winter, ,as to what level ~of prices farmers will be disposed to part with their remaining surplus. The Washington Agricultural Bureau will, in a few days, issue its report on the amount of wheat in farmers' hands on. March 1; if the official estimate of thei last crop waa correct, the quantity ought to be very much larger than in 1909. The American markets have been distinctly weak during the last few days, principally owing to more favourable crop and weather news. The- World's Visible Wheat Supply on March 1.

The Australian, position shows a slight drop on the week. The explanation probably lies in- this, as-was, in fact, explained ,a- few weeks ago: Pressure on .the. railway lines rendered it difficult. for the wheat to reach Sydney, and. qcmwquently

lines right on the spot were disposed of at prices a little firmer than would have been the ca.se under ordinary circumstances. Now, in view of the fact that the market has eased about Id, in the absence of any special movement of the London market, it is reasonable to suppose that the freight difficulty has been surmounted, so that now supplies are on a full level, With the usual effect on prices. Sydney and Melbourne are now standing- at 4s Id, and Adelaide at 4s, the latter being a decided drop from, last week's rates. The Town and Country Journal of April w reports:— "This week opened with considerable sales of New South Wales wheat of milling- quality at 4s 2d per bushel in Sydney. Some of this grain was bought on milling and some on shipping account. The wheat was not secured (as has generally been the case, since the commencement of this harvest) on direct country purchase, but was obtained 1 in the metropolis. As soon as these transactions were concluded, the metropolitan holders asked 4s 2jd in most instances, though two parcels were still available at 4s 2d. Melbourne was promptly advised by telegram and telephone of the stir in Sydney, with the result that on the first afternoon of the week good shipping and milling business was done in Melbourne at 4s and by 3 p.m. the Melbourne sellers asked 4s 3d for goodsized parcels, but no business at this figure was recorded. New South Wales wheatgrowers should note that the Adelaide market is about a penny per bushel better than some of the newspaper reports indicate. The firmness at this side is largely due to the unfavourable reports current in London respecting the winter crcjps in portions of the United States, and to the shipments from India to London and the Continent being much smaller than anticipated. Chicago has a " bullish " tone, but the London buyers think it possible that the . damage to the new crop may be exaggerated in order to influence the option market in May. Present reports on the European crops foreshadow a diminished yield, but there is ample time for a good recovery if the weather conditions prove favourable from now." - The Australasian of April 9 says:— "The recent improvement in London was followed by "an advance in Melbourne, but as usual on such occasions the local market has risen above the (parity of current quotations abroad. A good business has been done, partly with millers, sales being made at up to 4s 2£d. Witb the quieter market in London, however, the local market is easier at 4s 2d. Small farmers' lots are being purchased in the country at equivalent to 4s Id to 4s lid. ... , . Locally the wheat market is simply on last week's level. Fair business is passing, merchants being the sole operators. The offerings from the north have somewhat improved, while a slight easing is apparent in respect to the south. Best quality velvet promises to be scarce before the season is finished, and of the other lines some in the north are more or less damaged, lhe price asked in the north for the very best velvet is from 5s 9d to 3s 9W, with Tuscan and red chaff at 3s 7d and 3s Bd. Southern wheat is available at 3s 7£d tor velvet ear and 3s Bid for Tuscan. price list of the New Zealand Flourmillers' Association is as folio ws : —™r: Sacks, £lO 5s pet ton; 1001 b bags, £lO 15s per ton: 501 b bags, £ll per ton• 251 b bags, £ll 5s per ton. Oatmeal, £ll 10s per ton : pearl barley, £l3 lCs. _ Though farmers are not offering at all freelv a good volume of business is Passing in oats for shipment to Auckland. At the preser.t time that centre is operating to the ext- ' ' 30.000 sacks per month. Much „f o-oing on contract—contracts which «*i, made in anticipation of low rates, and which are therefore causing their holders some little loss in view of the continued firmness for the new crop. The Nor+b Island is the only market so fai available. London is altogether out of the auction, and. though a few tentative inquiries have been received from Australia business in that quarter is not -centered likelv A good deal of oats is being placed "n store bv farmers who have confidence in the future. Prices in the country, with variations for raiKze, are about:-A grade sparrowbills. Is 7d to 1* 7R; A Gartens Is 7d to Is 8d: extra heavy Cartons Is Bi-d: B grade spavvowbills, Is 6Ad to Is M. and B Cartons M extra In f.o b sacks in, rates the market is at ?« »nd 2s o£d for A grade sparrowbills and uarCnaff and not" toes are both firm on *be market. pa.rt-.cularW the latter, mwhxf shipnincr business is beiiM? done. Ih« *«- m and for «« h* again exuded ih* «upptv. and nrioea have advanced to Is - > for fresh. There is a very good demand io- country hutter. Current nrices are as _ 7?s r\d: bIP-k o»ten, PA: to -ood. £3 5s to £3 xOs; inferior, £2 5s and up ner ton. __,-»',•- r>n i~ -Pt Potatoes—Prime «* £ g Jta fid • to o-ood. £* 5s to «3 IZB ifl. «™ll »"d Werio" P* 1«« J*"**"; %nta£-F,,ir F.'nw M-'WroW. ?55 per ton; prime Canterbury, £3 10s per ton.

<ttraw. 30s nor +on. Hlover W. £2 10« *o £2 12s 6d jw-too. "} a md nev dozen. . , T*,,He- —T-n srood demand. * Tn-'Upd. l M : separator in ilb and lib pats, B ., WW , Si.* ner IK r-ork*-. 3M ner IK UdM bamV nnJov 901 K nfrlbi pork n»nr>*.n- 'n 141 b tins (four tins to case), per lb. business cren*r»nv d«rin<? th*> week has r" f a i T Hw principal lirva r* tomato**, "pples. nnd -nrsnll «*W~* freely Tbf fir.4-namd will be fo, the Ln In a dav or two. and on that taking KV better demand I; for deS nnnle- *nd A little nwre attenf?" *?? h*in« 'riven to rookinsr aonles. w hns Wn" that the lata hnrriNew« h»R in ~rious effect. it i« MM»*j Tl I Irir" the 00™'WT willtar th«re wdl \ d shortai h in thi« -op. Of the late Sarotoniranshinn-nt r*» erreat bulk .arrivedin verv bad oond Hon. and at the rived »n n> ?x ket stare, evc*pt for loiT V.retailers' hands. To-daj a ' t .f 700 cares of oransres oame for■TSM'V the cold snap the deSS was bVht. This is expected, to be skd with an .mpro-ment in the ruling are as follow:-

Oranges.—Rarotongan, shipment just to hand, 7s 6d to 9s. Bananas.—Market barely supplied. Lemons. Barely supplied. Messina halves, 13s to 15s; whole cases, 25s to 27s 6d. Apples.—Market fully stocked. Cookers, 2s to 4s 6d per case; dessert, 5s to 7s 6d. Peaches.—Good demand. Dessert. 3d to Plums.—Market barely supplied. Common sorts, Id per lb; others, lgd. Quinces. —Id to lfd per lb. Mushrooms. —Finished. Pie melons. —4s 6d per cwt. Pears.—Good desserts have fair inquiry. Local choice, from 4s to 6s 6d; Canterbury and others, 5s to 7s; cookers, 2s to 4s. Blackberries.—Finished. Grapes.—Local and Oamaru, from 7d to Is Id; market bare. Tomatoes. —Christohurch hothouse, 2Jd to 2|d; outside, Is to 2s per box of 241 b; choice quality, 5s to 6s 3d; choice local hothouse, sgd to 6jd. Vegetables.—ln short supply. Cabbages, from Is to 4s - per sack. Cauliflowers, Is 6d to 5s 6d per sack. Lettuce, from Is to- Is 4d per case Beetroot, 8d per doz. Horseradish, sd. Cucumbers, up to 46 per dozen: outsides, 2s 3d per small box. Gieen peas, 2d to 2gd per lb; vegetable marrows, 6s to 6s 6d per sack; pie melons, 4s 6d per cwt; pumpkins, locally grown. 7s per cwt. Market barely supplied with vegetables. Potatoes. —Southern and Oamaru, £4 5s to £4 10s for choice samples; medium quality, £3 15s to £4. Honey.—Choice, 4d to per lb; 101 b tins, 3s 6d to 4s; choice sections, 6s to 7s per dozen; medium, 3s to 4s 6d per dozen. Peanuts.—Java, 2d; Japanese, 2£d to 3d. Preserved ginger, 7gd per lb. Walnuts.—Good demand. A small lot from Canterbury realised from 6d to per lb. Barcelona nuts, sgd to 6gd. IMPORT MARKET. The upward trend of the sago and tapioca markets has continued during the week, and. indeed, shows every indication of going higher yet. The price now is 18s for sago and 19s for ta»pioea. Hams have advanced to 9d per lb. The Nelson growers of hops have advised distributors of the existence of a shortage. Consequently prices have moved up somewhat, and quotations are: In packets, lid to Is lb; in the loose, 9d per lb. Three Castle cigarettes are again out of the market, and the distributing company at Wellington has advised merchants that none will be availale till the arrival of the Fifeshire, which arrived at Melbourne on April 4. A parcel of preserved American fruits was landed during the week. Prices show a slight increase upon previous quotations. A parcel of seeded raisins also came to hand, but prices here are much the same as previously.

ei •S <£» •S3 a gii £ I o p* m •S § *C o ' c$ .t £ English Average Qrs Qr». Qrs.

1910 . .. 9,535,000 6,570,000 16,105,000 37/7 1909 . .. 9.160,000 8,400,000 17.580,000 34/6 1908 .. . 10j745,000 7,500.000 18^245.000 32/ 1907 .. • 9,055,000 10,050,000 19.105.000 26/9 1906 . ,. 9,220,000 9,250,000 18,470,000 28/10 1905 .. .. 9,620,000 7.125,000 16,735,000 30/10 1904 . .. 8,600,000 7,450,000 16,050,000 27/10 1903 . .. 6,832,000 10,190.000 17.022.000 25/3 1902 . .. 8.640,000 11,230.000 19,870,000 27/1 1901 . .. 9,090,000 10.960,000 20,050,000 25/11 1900 . .. 7,605,000 11,675,000 19.280.000 26/3 1899 . .. 7,720,000 7.025,000 14,745,000 25/7 1898 .. 8,148,000 6,400,000 14,548,000 35/5 1897 . .. 8,435,000 7,940,000 16.375.000 28/2 1896 . .. 8,343,000 12,350.000 20,693,000 25/6 1895 .. . 9,101,000 13,820,000 22,921,000 19/10