THE BREADSTUFFS AND PRODUJE MARKETS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3765, 11 May 1926, Page 21

THE BREADSTUFFS AND PRODUJE MARKETS.

Friday evening. Agricultural statistics of New Eolith Wales for the }ear ended June 30, 1925, show that 59,767,000 bushels of wheat were garnered for the ’season from 3.550,078 acres. This compares with 33,176,000 bushels obtained from 2,945,335 acres in 1923-24. Maize production of the State for 1924-25 was 4,208,200 bushels, against 3,287,500 bushels for the 1922-23 season, and the yield of oats was 2,511,400 bu Is, against 1,243,198 bushels two years previously. Wheaten hay cut aggregated 537,057 tons, and oaten hay 400,431 tons, contrasted with a total of 1,059,529 tons in 1922-23. Apparently other countries besides New Zealand are feeling the effects of importations of flour, and in this connection the following extract from the Australasian should prove of interest:—“While fiourmillers in Australia have participated in a substantial export trade in flour so far this year, other countries have not fared so well. Complaints have been made in the United States that mills were not able to work on an average lately of much more than 60 per cent, of capacity, while unfavourable conditions had been experienced by a number of the millers in the United Kingdom. Fiance apparently has been able to compete successfully with some of its neighbours, and this is attributed partly to the decline in the French franc. The general association of Belgian millers has made representations to the Prime Minister - Belgium that their trade is being considerably affected owing to French competition. Belgian millers asked for increased protection. and requested that the existing duty of two francs for 22011 b be increased to the full extent allowed by the law.” LOCAL MARKETS. During the past few days the wheat market has undergone a distinct change, As one merchant puts it, the tug-of-war between millers and growers regarding the prices to be paid for wheat has ended in favour of the growers. It will be remembered that some months ago a conference of millers agreed on a basis of prices to be offered the growers for their wheat. These prices were 6s 8d for Tuscan, 6s lOd for Hunters, and 7s for Velvet, all f.o.b. Some of the growers accepted these prices and sold. Many maintained that they were not sufficiently remunerative, and they held their wheat. The change in the position which has now taken place has apparently been caused by the firming of the flour market in Australia, and the breaking away by millers from their own agreement. As a consequence the wheat market has firmed, and North Island millers particularly are buying at 6s lOd, on trucks, for Tuscan, 7s for Hunters, and 7s 2d for Velvet. _ iis means a considerable advance on the f.o.b. prices quoted above. The local demand for fowl wheat is on the quiet side, with prices moving lip in sympathy with the advance in milling quality. Good whole fowl wheat is worth to-day Cs 9d per bushel, sacks extra, on trucks. ~ Millers’ prices for flour remain unchanged as follows:—2001b, £lB 10s; 100*s, £l9 H)s; 50’s, £2O 2s 6d; 25’s, £2O 10s. Bran, £8 10s per ton. Pollard, £9 10s. Ooatmeah 25’s, £25; 200’s, £24. The Victorian Millowners’ Association price for a minimum quantity of 50 sacks, cash with order, is £l3 15s for 20001 b, delivered Melbourne or suburbs. An extra charge of 7s 6d a ton is made for flour when booked. The broken weather has interfered with the threshing of oats, and only odd lines are being offered by growers. These lines show 6igns of weathering, and many lots are out of condition. There are no buyers for this class of cereal, and this lack of response by merchants is also influenced by the fact that business is very quiet. Merchants are now offering 39 2d on trucks, sacks extra, for A gartons and 3s for B’s. The shipping business is also quiet. There are practically no buyers in the North Island of grade oats, as merchants there have secured ample stocks of both New Zealand and Canadian, and have no need for more in the meantime. The nominal quotations are 4s 2(f f.0.b.,5.i. for A’s and 4s for B’s. The potato market has eased off again, as the demand from Australia has fallen away. There is a considerable quantity held, in the Dunedin stores, and it may be added that the quantity is very good indeed. Consignments are increasing, and there doe 9 not appear any likelihood of a shortage before the next season's crop comes in. Best quality is worth £6 15s per ton. sacks included, ex truck. Some of the potatoes held in store will be shipped to Sydney in execution of orders received earlier in the season. If a demand from Australia is again experienced it would firm up the New Zealand market, and the fact that Australian merchants were earlier on the New Zealand market this season than usual gives support to the possibility that they may require further supplies later in the season. At the present time, however, as already stated, the Australian demand has slackened right off. as merchants there are heavily stocked with New Zealand, Tasmanian, and Victorian grown potatoes. There is no alteration in the chaff market. Consignments are on the light side, hut the stores are carrying ample stocks—quite sufficient to meet the demand, which is very poor. Bc*st quality is worth £5 10s per ton, sacks extra, ex store. One or two shipping inquiries have beep received, but the prices are too high at this port, compared with quotations from the northern ports, to admit of business. The seed market is dead in all lines. There is no outside demand, and merchants now holding stocks will have to carry them forward until' the retail demand sets in again in the spring. Current wholesale prices for produce lines are as follows: Chaff, £5 5s to £5 10s per ton. Potatoes, £6 15s per ton. Dairy Butter.—Best milled bulk, Is 3d and Is 4d per lb, according to quality; separator pats, Is 3d. Eggs.—Stamped, 2s Od; case, 2s 8d; preserved, to 2s. Bacon.—Rolls, Is 3d per lb. Hams, Is 3d per lb; boneless, Is 4d. Canterbury onions, 15s per cwt. FRUIT REPORT. The market Is over-supplied with Rarotongan oranges. About 1500 cast's arrived during the week, and a considerable quanti(y is still in the marts. As, however, it will be three weeks before further supplies

arrive, the quantity iu hand should be worked off before the next shipment comes forward. The Rarotongan boat to Wellington biought a small cuantity of bananas, and as the North Island market was short of supplies the shipment was absorbed there, and none came to Dunedin. The market here is bare #f supplies. The next shipment is due in Auckland on Tuesday next, and the transhipments for Dunedin will not arrive until about Monday next. Very heavy consignments of apples have reached the local market Lorn Nelson and Marlborough. Prices have been though it may seem very like sending Coal to Newcastle, the lather extraordinary position has arisen that apples from Nelson are now being sent even as far afield as Cromwell and being sold there. The northern grown apples are a very fine quality—the best to reach the Dunedin market for several years. Still, it is rather remarkable that this fruit can be sent into the heart of the fruit-growing district of Central Otago and be sold in competition with the Central-grown fruit. The cost of transit and other charges must be fairly heavy, and yet the position as stated is now in evidence. Not a great quantity of Central Otago-grown apples have so far come forward. Full supplies will be available this month. Fair supplies of pears are arriving from both the Central and Canterbury. A quantity of the pears from the Central is in an over-ripe condition, and consequently not saleable. The season for peaches is almost finished. The market could do with any odd lots. Supplies of outside grown tomatoes have been irregular. The quantity coming forward, however, increased towards the end of the week Nearly all the supplies are arriving from Canterbury. The season is now drawing to a close. Local hot-house-grown brought higher prices consequent on the irregular supply of outside grown. Supplies of grapes have been on the short side, and prices are firmer. The market is bare of quinces. It is , reported that there are still a few lots in the Central. A few tons of fine melons arrived during the week and met with a fair sale. Prices for vegetables have improved a little on the week, but they are still low for this time of year. Cabbages r.re in over-supply. Sound peas have a good inquiry. Current wholesale prices are as follow: Apples.—Cox’s Orange: Choice, 10s 6d; medium, 6s to 7s; Jonathans, 6s 6d to 7s 6d for prime; cookers, 4s 6d to ss. Oranges.—lsland, 12s 6d, re-packed. Lemons.—Auckland, 20s to 22s 6d. Tomatoes.—Christchurch, choice, 4d to sd; Central, sd; seconds, 2d to 3d; local hothouse, lOd to Is per lb. Grapes.—Local, to 2s. Pears. —Dessert, prime, 2d to 2kl per lb; over-ripe, unsaleable; cooking, lJd. Peas, 2d to 3£d. Rhubarb, 2d to 3d per lb. Cabbages.^—Choice, Is 6d to 3s per sack of tw'O dozen; others, unsaleable. Bananas. —Ripe, 30s to 32s 6d. Auckland passions, 7s 6d per box. Cauliflowers, 4s to 6s per sack containing a dozen (choice only); others, slow of sale. Celery, 4d to 6d per bunch of four sticks. Lettuce.—Choice, 2s to 3s per dozen. White turnips, Is per dozen bunches. Parsnips, 8s 6d per cwt. Carrots, 7s 6d per cwt. Potatoes. 8s to Ds per cwt. Swedes, 4s to 5s per cwt. French beans, 4d to 6d. MERCHANDISE MARKET. The Manuka, which arrived from Melbourne during the week, brought preserved ginger, rice, and a number of other Eastern lines. The Tekoa and Matakana brought supplies of tobacco and cigarettes, and there are ample stocks in New Zealand to-day. The strike at Home, even if long continued, is not likely to cause any inconvenience to smokers in the Dominion. The Katoa was the latest boat with sugar. The Kurow is due on May 16 and the Waipahi on May 20. The Sussex is bringing sago, tapioca, pineapples, lentils, haricot beans, etc. from Calcutta and Singapore. The Waihemo, from Pacific Ports, now at the wharf, has brought supplies of canned fruits, pilchards, seeded raisins, bottled cherries, canned peas, etc. Medium factory cheese is quoted at 9Jd to lOd per lb, according to quality. Zig-zag cigarette papers continue in short supply. Merchants have so far received no information regarding fresh shipments. A parcel of bagged figs which landed during the week shows an increased cost. The Australian sultanas arid currants now on the market are of excellent quality—in fact, they are said to be about the best ever put on the New Zealand markets.