THE BREADSTUFFS AND PRODUCE MARKETS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3415, 29 August 1919, Page 13

THE BREADSTUFFS AND PRODUCE MARKETS.

Friday evening.

Reports of the French, wheat crops at about the end of May were that fine end warm weather continued to improve the outlook, and vegetation had made such good progress that growth was nearly up to normal The chief complaint is an excess of duo to the long wet period and scarcity of labour. Autumn-sown grain had a favourable appearance, and spring sowing looked well, though a little rain would benefit late-planted seed. Stocks of native wheat are fast being exhausted, but imported wheat and flour were plentiful. Information from Germany, though not very reliable, was to Ihe effect that grain crops are up to the average as regards condition, and in some districts the outlook waa good. The winter wheat area is very small, but a good stretch of spring wheat' is believed to have been planted. In Greece, the crop outlook was very unfavourable, and it is reported! that large purchases of Canadian wheat have been made on behalf of the country. Millers have substantial stocks of wheat* and are therefore unable to certify that an/ wheat now offering by growers is wanted for immediate gristing. Fowl wheat is in good demand at 6s per bushel, sacks extra, ex store. New Milling Wheat. —According to Government prices: South Island, 6s Bd, f.0.b., sacks extra (plus ljd brokerage and Government commission); North Island, approximately equivalent to 7s (plus ljd brokerage and Government commission). . Prices of millers' lines are as follow: —' Flour, £l4 10s; bran, £6 10s; pollard, £8 10s; pearl barley, £25; oatmeal, £25. More inquiries for oats are being received, and! offers from the North Island of 4s sd, fo.b., sacks in, for B Gartons have been declined by local merchants. Stocks held in stores are light, but growers are in possession of a fair quantity for this time of the season, and they are not inclined to accept the present price of 3s lOd per bushel, sacks extra, on trucks. A local agent reports that he has received an inquiry for a fair-sized parcel of oate for shipment to Australia, but that, owing to lack of space, business could not be transacted. On the other hand, cable advice from Sydney states that merchants there caa buy cheaper in Tasmania than in New Zear land. PRODUCE REPORT. The recent heavy rains have prevented cutting, and, as a consequence, no supplies of chaff have been arriving. The market, however, remains unchangd, as feeders have ample stocks, and £7 per ton, sacks extra, ex store, is the top price for good quality. There has been an accumulation of mediurn and inferior chaff, which is practically unsaleable, although prices have been reduced to £5 and £6 per ton, sacks extra, ex store The potato market is firmer, with few consignments coming to hand. Local supplies are exhausted. Canterbury are realising £lO to £ll per ton, sacks included, ex truck. Some lines are showing signs of frost, and these have to be picked over before a market can be found. The egg market is weak. Current wholesale prices are as follow: Fowl wheat, 6s per bushel (sacks extra). Potatoes, £lO to £ll, ex store, Dunedin, for prime quality. Chaff.—Prime oaten sheaf, £7; medium and poor quality, £5 to £6. to 18s per cwt Oaten straw, £4; wheaten, £3 10s. Eggs.—Stamped, Is 6d; ordinary, la 4d. Butter.—Milled, bulk, best, Is 5d to 1* s£d; separator pate, to Is 6d.

Margarine, Is 2d per lb. Pigs.—Baconers, 9cl per lb; porkers, 9d. Bacon. —Local rolls. Is 3£d per lb; hams, Is 2Jd; local ham rolls, Is <ld to Is 'lid. FRUIT REPORT. The feature of tho week has been the delivery by rail from Lyttelton of Island bananas. The bananas were brought from Auckland by the Te Anau. The first lot left Lyttelton about last Friday (August 15), and the last lot oame to hand yesterday (Thursday). The delay in transportation 'is having a serious effect on the fruit, and shippers in Auckland will no doubt seriously consider whether they will risk sending any further shipments south in the meantime. A few Island oranges arrived during the ■Week, and met a fairly good market. A

quantity of Poorman oranges also came to hand A further shipment of Poornians is due early next week. A slightly better demand exists for apples. Heavy supplies of cauliflowers have arrived during the week, and prices have receded. First class cabbages are very scarce, and anything prime realises high prices. Rhubarb is a little more plentiful, but prices ito well maintained. During the week Mr Dyke (fruit inspector) received a sample of five large, beautifully shaped lemons, grown at Pelorus Sound. It is stated that lemons can be grown in this locality to be available practically all the year round. If lemons of this quality can be grown at Pelorus Sound there seems ±.O reason why such large quantities should have

to be imported annually from outside sources Californian lemons are at present bringing very high prices in the dominion. Current wholesale prices are as follow: Apples.—Delicious, firsts, to 18s per case; Rokewoods, 13s 3d to 14s; Sturmers, 15s; cookers, aid to 3d per lb for prime; others, ljd to 2d per lb. Oranges.—Poormana for marmalade, 17s to 18s 6d per case; American Valencias to 60s per double case; Islands, 303 to 355. Bananas, 24s to 27s per case, ripe; green, best, 20s to 225; others, relative rates. Cabbages, 4s to 8a per dozen, sacks, best, to 9s; others, 2s to 6a. Cauliflowers: Medium, 4s to Gs per dozen; prime, 6s to 8s per sack. Carrots, Is to Is 6d per dozen bunches; small bags, to 3s 6d per bag; sacks, £7 to £7 103 per ton Swedes, 2s 6di to 4s per bag; sacks, 4s 6d to ss. ' Potatoes. —Local, lis per cwt. Rhubarb, 6s to 8s 6d per dozen bunches. Celery, Is 6d to la 8d per bundle for best; medium, 9d to Is. Brussels sprouts, 7s to 9s 6d per box. Parsnips, 2s to 3s per case; 3s 6d to 5e per bag; 14s to 15s per sack. MERCHANDISE MARKET. A small shipment of Havelock tobacco is due next week from Australia. The drop in the rate of Amerioan exchange is affecting the prices of many goods, amongst which are metal polish, blacklead, etc., the quotations for which have been withdrawn in the meantime. The Matatua is bringing supplies of Colman's starch and Robinson's patent barley and groats. Ropp's pipes show an advance of 25 per cent in price. Burmah candles axe quoted at lljd per lb. A substantial advance has taken place in the price of preserved ginger, which Is now quoted at Is 5Jd to Is 6d per lb. Caillc-r'e and Nestle's confectionery has been advanced to 9s per box. Capstan cigarettes (manufactured in New Zealand) will bo shortly on the market in 20*s, cartons Prunes are in very short supply. Morton's curry powder is practically off tho wholesale market. The wholesale tea packers have found it necessary, owing to the advance in value of teas by 2d per lb. The following increases since 1914* make interesting reading. Exchange has advanced 7Jd per rupee, equal on oidinary medium tea to 4d; the freight increase is 2d; duty increase, 8d; landing charges, cartage, primage, andl cash discount on the higher selling price, making a total increase of 10£d. Over these charges merchants have no control, and from present indications the limit of advances is not yet reached.