THE BREADSTUFFS AND PRODUCE MARKETS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3197, 23 June 1915, Page 14

THE BREADSTUFFS AND PRODUCE MARKETS.

Friday evening. The London wheat market is reported as quiet. Ono gratifying point in the position (says H. M. Bathgate and Co., under date April 28), has been the limitation of ex-European requirements as the result of the higher range of values. Those countries have actually taken since the beginning of the season only half of the quantity they received during the corresponding period of last year; and at the present moment there is no indication of the rate of shipment being increased. In fact, if prices maintain their present level, we may look for a further reduction in the weekly quantities destined for those exporters. A similar effect has been recognised in some other directions, notably in fne southern States of America, where some our correspondents say that maize, rye. and other cereals havo very largely supplanted the use of wheaten bread, especially among the coloured and labouring classes. Crop prospects throughout the world are generally favourable, and in several countries an increased crop is promised, especially, as is w-ell known, in tho groat wheat fields of North America, whore the area both of spring and winter wheat surpasses all previous records. A factor temporarily influencing the English markets is the prohibition of exports of wheat and other cereals from Great Britain. Liverpool makes a large quantity of lower grade flour for Norway and the Mediterranean ports, and the possibility that some of those exports arc finding their way to the enemy countries is probably the reason for tho proclamation. Consuming countries will thus require to obtain thensupplies direct from wheat-producing ones in future, so that ultimately the effect on the market will bo lost.

The oat market has been steady, with an under-current of strength (cays the Australasian of June 12). Most of the Japanese arrivals appear to have been taken up at prices ranging up to 4s 6cl, while resellers’ lots of Tasmanian and New Zealand oats have been placed at 5s to 5s Id, and occasionally to 5s 2d. Californian Algerians arc offered ex wharf at ss, and Victorian seed at about 6s 6d. Advice from Canterbury states that the wheat market there is firmer, and that Hunters and Tuscan arc now quoted at 7s Id per bushel, on trucks, country sdiings; velvet about 2d per bushel more. Offerings, however, are short, and most of the wheat mast now b© out of first hands. South of Dunedin it is considered that there is a fair amount in stack, awaiting spring thrashing, farmers being apparently of the opinion that prices then .will rule even higher than at present. Offerings from the south have also been on the short side during the week. Farmers there are asking 7s" to 7s Id for velvet, and about 2d per bushel less for rod sorts, trucks, country sidings. The tariff of the New Zealand Flour and Produce Agency Company is as follows: Sacks, £l7 10s; ICOlb bags, £18; 501 b bags, £lB ss; 251 b bags, £lB 10s. Pollard, £9 10s. Bran, £8 15s. Oatrncat is quoted at £22 a ton for 25 s. Pearl barley, £22 10s. Business in the oat market is on the quiet side, there being no special demand. There is, however, no weakening in prices —in fact, the feeling is that the marxet may advance again at any time. There does not appear to be many oats now left in first lumas. Tho forward business ontered into with Australia before the embargo on the export was decided on by the Government has now been practically completed. There is not much inquiry from the North Island. The Government has purchased another 100 tons of oats, and while merchants have this business to look to the market must remain firm. A Cartons are quoted at 4s sd, f.0.b., s.i., and B’s at 4s 5d PRODUCE REPORT. A keen demand continues for chaff, and all oats are readily placed at late rates. There is a keen inquiry from the North Island, and it is reported that supplies are short there. Potatoes have again advanced in price, and there is a brisk demand for all prime samples. Large contracts have been made with Australia,, and as farmers are holding out for high prices it seems very probable that further advances in values will have to bo recorded. Merchants are freely speculating whether the Government will put an embargo on the export of potatoes, as the opinion is very general that the crop will bo a short one. Another much debated point is whether the Government, even should it decide to stop the export, will allow forward contract business with Australia to be fulfilled, but as the Government decided to allow forward business in oats to be fulfilled, it is thought that it will follow the same procedure as regards potatoes—that is, of course, if the embargo on the export of potatoes is finally decided on. Meantime the market rules very firm. The egg market is weak, with a slowness in sales. Preserves are also slow of sale, and values, are easier.

The pig market is fully supplied. Prices, however, remain unchanged. Offerings of onions are light, and the market is inclined to advance. Prime Canterburys are quoted at £5 10s per ton. Current wholesale prices arc as follow: — Chaff. —Prime oaten sheaf, £6 17s 5d to £7; medium to good, £5 10s to £6 (sacks extra). Potatoes. —Prime Oamarus, £6 15s to £7 5s ; Taieri-grown, £6 l£w to £7 ss; medium to good, £4 10s to £5 10s. Hay, £6 10s. • Straw.—Oaten, £3 10s; wheaten, £2 10s to £2 15s. Eggs. Fresh, Is sd; preserved, Is 2d. Butter—Dairy, Is 4d per lb; milled, to Is 4d per lb; separator, in 11b packets, to la 4d. Pigs.—Baconcrs, s|d per lb; porkers, Ozd per lb. . _ Bacon.—Rolls (in quantities), sides, lOd; hams, lOd per lb; boneless hams, per lb. FRUIT REPORT.

Tiro market has been very quiet _ during the week. Cooking apples are coining forward from Christchurch and the iaien, on the best of these are realising 2d per lb.

Dessert apples have boon in short supply, find the market is now very bare. Any choice samples of desserts wauld meet with a ready sale at up to 3d per lb. A few lots of pears arc arriving from Christchurch, mostly cooking sorts. These aro bringing about 5s per case. A nice line of desserts (Josephines) came in from Alexandra this morning, and are selling up to 3£d per lb. - No oversea shipments have arrived during the week. Cable advice from Suva status that the Atua left there last Wednesday, but that she had only 100 cases of bananas for Dunedin on board.

The following are the current wholesale prices: Apples are in only fair supply. Desserts are in keen demand, as high as 31 d per lb being obtained for choice coloured Scarlets; Jonathans, choice, to 3d; good to medium, 21 d to 2gd; cookers, 5s to 7s per bushel, the latter price being for Lord ■Wolseleys; Greenings, choice, 2d per lb. Other sorts range from 4s to 5s per case. Lemons. —In case of 155 fruits; Italian, 16s; iSydneys, 8s- to 9s. Oranges.—Ravotongan repacks, 8s to 9s. Tomatoes. —Local hothouse, 9d to 10gd; Canterbury's—outside, rough. Id to l§d; medium and choice, 2d to 4ld; just about finished. - Pears.—Choice, 3d to 31d; cookers, lid to l|d. Passions, 5s to 7s 6d. Pineapples, 9s to 11s. Pie Melons. —Market bare; 7s per cwt. Vegetables -have better sale. Cabbage, 6d to 2s per dozen; sacks. Is to 2s 6d. Lettuce, 4d to 6d per dozen. Cauliflowers, Is 6d to 7s 6d per dozen; sacks, to 7s 6d. Table carrots, ,4d to 6d per dozen bunches; 2e 6cl to 3s 9d ner cental. Green peas, lid to 2d; good domand. Brussels sprouts, Is to Is 6d per box. Celery, 4d to 6d per bundle. Winter rhubarb, 2s to 3s 6d per dozen bunches. Parsnips, 3s to 3s 6d per cental bag. MERCHANDISE MARKTE. During the week there have been heavy clearances from the Customs of whiskies, etc., this step being taken in anticipation of an increase in the tariff when Parliament meets. Stocks of Thom and Cameron’s bulk whisky are on the low side at present. Inquiries have also been made from the 1 North Island for supplies of this brand, So there is evidently a shortage there too. Bulk brandy and certain lines of case brandies are getting short on the market. Freights from Calcutta to New Zealand via Australia, are- given as 115 s per ton of 50 cubic feet. The Japanese steamer Asama Maru is at present discharging a cargo of kerosene. Carton dates are in very short supply. Quotations for the new season’s dates aro now coming to hand, but owing to the uncertainty as to war risks and other charges it is hardly possible yet to decide what the actual prices will be. The manufacturers of borax notify a further increase in the price of this article. Three Castle tobacco has been in (short supply during the past few weeks. A small parcel, however, is on the Paparoa, which is at present discharging her Dunedin cargo at Auckland. Certain brands of salmon have become rather scarce. Further supplies aro not available until the advent of the new season’s fish, due next November Herrings in sauce aro in short supply. A parcel of twine, consisting of jute, hemp, and white cotton, has just boon landed. Prices are higher than previously, increased freight being chiefly responsible for the advance. 402 Italian hemp twine is scarce; the present quote is Is 7d per lb. The Opawa, due from Glasgow at the end of this month, will be landing cream of tartar, cornflour, semolina, etc. Increasing freights aro affecting the price of most imported goods. British bottled ale and stout show a rather heavy advance. The application made by Messrs Pearson’s Antiseptic Company, Limited, for the avoidance or suspension in Now Zealand of the German trade make “Lysol,” which was registered by ■ Messrs Schulko and Mayr, has been granted. Harrisons and Eastern Export Ltd. report, under date of Colombo, May 12, that on the previous day 2,302,5661 b of tea were cata 1 logued. Quality' showed a slight falling off. All grades of brokens were slightly dearer; thick liquoring teas with some quality fetching long prices. Fannings were in small supply, and were dearer. Leaf teas generally showed a fall of 5 cents, and are now in many cases slightly cheaper than brokens. Orange pekoes wore comparatively neglected, Russian buyers paying more attention to broken teas. Public offerings in Colombo up to May 12 were 37,237,3561 b, against 31,330,3001 b for the corresponding period last year. . Shipments to Australia and New Zealand were about 8,950,0001 b, against 9,800,0001 b.