CANTERBURY GRAIN AND PRODUCE MARKET.

Otago Witness, Issue 3581, 31 October 1922, Page 13

CANTERBURY GRAIN AND PRODUCE MARKET.

(Lyttelton Times, October £B.) Not a great deal of business was dona in the local grain and produce market this week, though generally speaking prices remained steady at late rates. A fair amount of business in fowl wheat has been passing lately between merchants but not a great deal of wheat lias been coming forward from ihe country. Most farmers, who have not disposed of their undergrade wheat by now, probably intend to hold it until next season in the hope of obtaining better prices then. With reference to the demand from Australia for fowl wheat, a. Sydney merchant, who was in Christchurch this week, stated that there was a temporary shortage of fowl wheat on the other side and that that explained the demand. Although a dry spell had been experienced in Australia ihe prospects for the coming wheat crop wore by no means poor, and there was no question of Australia wanting to buy New Zealand undergrade wheat for milling purposes. He himself had bought some fowl wheat for export to Australia. A local merchant said he believed some fowl wheat had already been shipped to Australia though he did not think any had been shipped from Lyttelton. He did nob know personally of any shipments, but some may have been sent from limaru and other southern ports. Orders are still being received from London tor A grade Gartons and from Australia for Algerians, and prices of both varieties remain firm'at late rates. However, as offerings from the country are light and as stocks held by merchants are not large the volume of business is on the small side. Potatoes remain firm at late rates. There is still a demand for old potatoes from tho North Island, and this week some sales were made to Auckland. The s.s. Wingalui is due to sail for Auckland next week, and she is expected to take a small consignment of potatoes. Speaking with regard to (he supplies of potatoes held in tho country, a well-known grower stated thal very few farmers now had potatoes on hand and, ils old potatoes would he wanted for some weeks to come, lie thought there might he a distinct shortage and a considerable increase in price before lie- season was over. If the yield were at all normal he thought potatoes would he plentiful next year. Referring "to the probable onion prices next season, the grower said he thought they would be high. Some of t lie crops had not struck too well, and the recent nor'wosters had caused considerable damage. The yield, therefore, was not likely to large. There is no change to report' with r®» gard to seeds. Considerable business in being done in ryegrass, red clover and white clover, but cocksfoot is still dull. White clover prices showed a firming tendency during the week. The bulk of the business in seeds has been between merchants, most farmers having disposed of their stocks hv now. Linseed which is in short supply, remains very firm at about £l4 10s per ton on trucks at country stations. 'ihe following are quotations for produce to bo paid to farmers at country stations, free of commission, sacks extra, except where otherwise stated: — Milling Wheat. According to Government prices. Tuscan, 5 s per bushel f.0.b.. Hunters, 6s lid. Pearl, 6s 7jd. Fowl Wheat. —4s Id lo 4s 3d per bushel, f.o.b. Oats. —Gartons 2s 5d to 2s 9d per bushel, Algerians 2s Id to 2s 4d. Duns (dark coloured). 2s 6d to 2s Bd, light coloured, 2s to 2s 2d. Oliaff. —£2 15s to £3 per ton. Potatoes. — £5 5s to £5 15s per ton. Red Clover. —9d to lOd per lb. White ('lover.—ls 2d to Is 4d per lb. Perennial Ryegrass.—3s 6d to 4s per bushel. Italian Ryegrass. —3s 6d to 4s per bushel. Cocksfoot. —4id per lb. Barley.—2s 6d to 3s per bushel. Cape Barley.—2s to 2s 4d per bushel. Linseed. £l4 10s per ton. Elo-ur. —According to Government pi ices, 2001 b sacks £lB. 1001 b bags £l9, 501 b bags £l9 10s, 251 b bags £2O. all per ton, f.0.b., Lyttelton. Timaru, and Oamarti. Bran. According to Government prices, £5 to £5 10s per ton, according to packing f.0.b.. southern ports. Pollard. —According to Government prices, £8 to £3 10s per ton, according to packing, f.0.b., southern ports.