THE BREADSTUFFS AND PRO. DUCE MARKETS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3755, 2 March 1926, Page 21

THE BREADSTUFFS AND PRO. DUCE MARKETS.

Friday Evening. Some concern was shown in Great Britain iu December at estimates relating to the Argentine wheat crop of 4 he current season. Iu some quarters it was considered that the figures issued were misleading, •it being held that there was no justification for reducing estimates to the extent that had been done. The official estimate furnished by the Argentine in December gave a yield which would permit o: a quantity of roundly 140,000,000 busheb being available for export. Since then reports issued in Canada disclose that the Canadian crop would provide 32,000,(100 bushels in excess of the previous estimate, so that this increase would tend to offset the reduced yield in the Argentine Dealing with the wheat market towards the close of December, the Corn Trade News states that an outstanding feature of the trade was the astonishing export of wheat from Germany. That country in one week had shipped 560,000 bushels to Great Britain, and in the previous week 480,000 busheds, in addition to other quantities which it sent to European importers. This turn in the market had been welcome, as it helped to fill requirements at a time when supplies were light. Hungary, Jugo-Slavia, and Bulgaria were also shipping wheat, but Bulgarian shipments were light. On the other hand, Rumania was unable to export wheat, and rumours were circulated in England and in Germany that Russia might have to import supplies, because 39 per cent, of its peasant population was said to be ; insufficiently provided with this cereal. Although Germany may later have to import wheat, its crops this season were unusually heavy, some authorities within the country estimating production at up to 70 per cent, more than for 1924. According to latest cable messages, the London market for wheat has shown increased strength on more active demands. It iff noticeable, however, that growers in Australia who still hold wheat have shown little desire to accept the prices offered, and for this reason trade has been of relatively small dimensions. It would appear that farmer holders there are looking forward to the market again reaching the basis of 6s a bushel for wheat at their stations. LOCAL MARKETS. The Government has now decided to retain the present duty of 2s per cental on importations of wheat, together with the duty on flour of £3 per ton. Permits will also be granted for the importation of fowl wheat, duty free, until next harvest. A meeting of millers was held in Christchurch this afternoon to discuss the decision of the Government. In the meantime millers have ceased buying. A considerable amount of milling wheat was purchased from farmers some weeks ago at 7s, but millers are now disinclined to pay this price, and are waiting to see what is done at the conference. The inquiry for fowl wheat is mostly for the better class stuff, and poultry keepers are taking it at the same price as is being paid for milling. Millers’ prices fo v flour remain unchanged as follows: —2001 b, £lB 10s; 100’s, £l9 10s; 50’s, £2O 2s 6d; 25’s, £2O 10s. Bran, £8 10s per ton. Pollard, £9 10s. Oatmeal —25’s, £25; 200’s, £24. Odd lines of new season’s oats, grown at Strath Taieri, have been on offer, but little interest is boing shown by merchants, as there is no outside demand. A Gartons are nominally worth 4s 9d f.0.b.5.i., ad B’e 4s 7d, prompt delivery. These prices are equivalent to 3s lOd and 3s 8d respectively to farmers. Chaff is hard to sell, particularly second grade quality. A fair amount is coming to nand. Potatoes are in full supply growers at Stirling sending along considerable quantities. Taieri-grown are not yet on the market. Prices have eased during the past day or two. Current wholesale prices for produce lines are as follows: Chaff, £6 10s per ton. Potatoes, £6 10s to £7 per ton. Dairy Butter.—Milled bulk. Is 2d to la 3d; separator pats, Is Id. Eggs.—Stamped, 2s; case. Is lid. Bacon.—Rolls, le 3d per lb. Hams. Is 2d per lb. FRUIT REPORT. Business has teon fairly brisk during the week. Owing to the wet weather supplies of stone fruit from Otago Central have eased off. Supplies of apricots will not last much longer—possibly another week. It is understood that free stone peachq£> will be scarce. The crop is a very iig«{ one. Fair supplies of Bon Chretien pears hav* come forward. A good demand exists for pears, and this would be greater if th« fruit were riper. Supplies of plums are on the short side, and the quantity available this season ia going to be light. Outside grown tomatoes from Otago Central are now more plentiful. Dessert apples are in fair request, but there is only a slow domaud for oooking apples. The market is bore of bananas. Fresh* supplies are due on Monday morning. The marts are well supplied with potato**. Other vegetables have a normal iiiqu^y. Current wholesale prices are m follows ; Apples.—New season’s Worf uter Pc#» main, 7s to 9 a per case; GraveCjleins, 69 tO 8s; oookers, 5s to 6s; Cox’s Orange, Orangea—lsland, 22s 6d. Bananas.—Fiji. 30s per case. Lemons.—ltalian, 16s to 20s per *a«e. Pines, 208 to 229 6d per case. Passions, 10s 6d to 12s 6d. Raspberries.—Local, 9s 6d per bucket. Nectarines, 4d per lb.

Apricots.—Small. 5s per half case; medium, f* per half ease; choice, 7s per half case; crates, 3d to 5d por lb. Marrows, 6s per cental bag; large cases Peas, 2d to 3d por lb. Rhubarb. Id to 2d per lb. Peaches. -Dessert. 5s to 6s per case; cooking, 4 s to ss; crates, 3d to 6d per lb. Plums.—Dessert. 2Jd to 3£d; cooking, 2d. Poars. 21d to 3d per lb. Grapes, Is 3d to 2? per lb. Cucumbers.—Hothouse, 7s per dozen; outaido. largo cases, 10s; small,-6s. Tomatoes.—Christchurch, 2d to 3£d per lb; local hothouse, 6d to 9d. Lettuce to 2s per dozen. Spinach. It per dozen bunches. Cabbages, <s to 6s per wack of two dozen. Cauliflowers, 6s per caso. Carrots. —Now. Is per dozen bundles, 0s per ovrt. New Potatoes.—lxical grown. Id to lid. New season's swedes, 7s per cwt. French beans, 5d to 6d per lb. Runner beans, 4d to 5d per lb. MERCHANDISE MARKET. C.M.O. t-ongues have been advanced to 17s per dozen. A shipment of red herrings arrived this week ex the Tainui. Imperial boo honey, lib pottles, has been Induced to 9s 6d per dozen. Stevens's semolina is not now manufactured. Kcllog's cornflakes have been reduced in price. The current quotation is 10s 6d per «oscn A cargo of sugar is duo by the Wingatui as, Tuesday. The next sugar boat is duo about March 10. Laurel kerosene, in half-gallons (a new is quoted at 18s per dozen. 1 new agency line—gold leaf eucalyptus—beu made its appearance on the market. Crest cheese is quoted at 9s 6d per box two dozen packets. Zig-zag cigarette papers continue m short