BREADSTUFFS AND PRODUCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3869, 8 May 1928, Page 21

BREADSTUFFS AND PRODUCE.

Friday Evening. WHEAT, OATS, ETC. During the past fortnight very little business has been done in wheat most of which has oeen marketed, but ’ a few fines which have still to be threshed have been held up owing to the broken weather As conditions are now more favourable it is expected that further odd business will come to hand especially from Central Otago. The position has been the same in Canterbury and. as smaller quantities have been on offer, the market has shown a firming tendency. Tuscans have been dealt in at 5s 7d, sacks extra, on trucks and Hunters at 5s lOd, It is expected that the firming will be only temporary as large quantities have still to be threshed in the Canterbury district Fowl wheat supplies have also been reduced on account of the broken weather lhe market is firm at 5s 9d per bushel sacks extra, ex store, Dunedin. The ship ping quotation from Canterbury i s 5 S Bd, f.o b., sacks extra, and, as this price is below the local price ex store, Diinedm no shipping sales have been recorded Millers’ prices for flour, etc., are now as follows: — r J ?lou / : 2cclb . £l7 10s; 100’s, £lB 10s; 50 s, £lB 15s; 25’s, £l9 S S . Bran, £7 per ton. Pollard £9 10s. Oatmeal: 25’s, £2l; 200’s, £2O. The market for oiats is firm following exports to the United Kingdom, but the bale market which has followed has caused a firming up of values. The present quota tions, however, are above London parity, but whether they can be maintained in view of the poor local consumption throughout New Zealand is questionable. Most of the oats have now been threshed throughout Otago and Southland, and in tJiis case, too, supplies have been held up as a result of the broken weather. Any odd lots coming in have been readily sold

at ,3s 2d, on trucks, for A Gartons and 2s iOd for B’s. The present ship ;ing quotations are 5s lid for A’s end 3s 8d for B’s, it is noticeable this* season that very few 1J Gartons are available All deliver'd coming to hand are either A grade nr undergrade, the latter having been out too long in the stook during the bad weather Following the finning in the oat market chaff has also (fined. but there has been no upward movement. It has been difficu.t to obtain supplies, as'no milling has been done. On the other hand however, there nave been, few buying inquiries from lenders. The present value for the best quality ts £5 10 s per ton, sacks extra Shipping quotations from Canterbury and Marlborough have been well below local prices, but the firming in oats has causer] merchants to raise their selling prices. The present quote from Blenheim i» £5 7s 6d f.0.b., s.i. Although the local market for potatoes is quiet, it is becoming apparent that supplies are not so olentifu] in this district as r. previous years The unfavourable planting out season prevented farmers from sowing, and as anv crops put in have been atiecu-d bv too much moisture, yields are l;o-nt. In addition to this, blight has taken its toll of the tubers. Local merchants, therefore, will have to start drawing from Canterburv earlier than usual, and pres mt quotations from there are £4 10s to £4 15s on trucks. The local market is fairly steady at £5 10s per ton. sacks include 4 ex trucks. The North Island demand for seeds has now fallen away, and nil markets are quiet but firm. With the exception of dogstail all lines, especially ryegrass and cocksfoot, are in shorter supply than usual. Produce lines are quoted wholesale ns follows:— Uhaff: To £5 10s per ton, ex truck, for best quality; medium and poor, £4 to £4 10s. Potatoes, £5 10s per ton. Eggs: Stamped, ss; case. 2s lOd. Dairy butter: Milled bulk, Is 3d; pats, Is 3d. Supplies-kre very scarce. Bacon, Is Id per lb. Hams, Is 4d per lb; boneless. Is sd. Onions: Canterbury onions. 8s to 9s per cwt. FRUIT REPORT. A quiet week has been experienced on the fruit market, and there has been prac tically no imported fruit. A good ship ment of Island oranges and bananas should arrive towards the end of next week. They will come to a good market, and prices should be high. A small shipment of Cali fornian oranges arrived yesterday, realising high prices. But the market is again bare. Lemons are in good supply, but they have a poor demand. Apples are arriving in heavy quantities from Nelson and Central Otago, but unless the fruit is prime it has no inquiry. Pears are in over-supply, and are selling at very low prices. The stone fruit season has now practically finished, and only odd consignments if peaches and plunis are reaching the market Supplies of tomatoes have dropped considerably, and prices are much firmer. Quinces have a good inquiry, but pie melons are slow. Cauliflowers are in good supply, and choice quality are realising satisfactory prices. Second grade are hard to quit. Choice lettuce are in keen demand. All other vegetables are in good supply, and prices are low. Current wholesale prices are as follows:— Apples.—Delicious, 6s to 8s per ease ; Cox s Orange Pippins, 8s 6d to 10s; Jonathans. 6s to 7s; cookers. 5s to 6s; small dessert apples, 5s to 4s per case. ' Grapes, Is to Is 4d per lb. Peaches.—Choice, 4d to 5d per lb, tn crates; cases, 4s 6d to Pears. —Dessert, to 2id per lb; cookers, la.

Bananas.—Ripe, to 32s 6d per case. Oranges.—American, 55s per double case. Le.mons.--American, 55s per double case Christchurch tomatoes, 4d to 6d for firsts; Central Otago, 5d to 6d; seconds, l£d to sa, local hothouse, 9d. Quinces, 2ld per lb. Pie melons, 6s to 8s per cwt. Rhubarb. Id per lb. Beetroot, 9d per dozen bunches. Swedes, Is per case. Vegetable marrows, 6s to 7s per sack. Pumpkins, 8s per sack. Potatoes, 5s 6d to 6s 6d per cwt. Cauliflowers.—Best, 8s to 9s per sack; others. Is 6d to 3s. Cabbage. Is per sack. Lettuce: Choice, 2s 6d to 3s 6d nei dozen; others, Is per dozen. Celery, 8d to Is ner bundle. Leeks. 6d per bundle. Spinach. Is to Is 6d per dozen. MERCHANDISE MARKET. The manufacturers advise short pack of "K” Keiffer pears this season. Bon Ami powder is again on the market. Supplies of Australian plain sultanas are expected to arrive by the Manuka, which is due to-morrow. A new line of Sanatogen (magnum size) lias made its appearance on the market, and is quoted at 144 s per dozen. A further reduction is reported in the price of supgar of milk, which is now quoted at Us 6d per dozen. - A parcel of Black Horse coarse salt, which arrived by the Tongariro, has been absorbed, but further supplies are expected by the Norfolk, which is due about the middle of June. The Norfolk will also bring a shipment of Liverpool fine and coarse salt. “ Oak ” passion fruit (new packing) is now available in Boz tins. “ Big A ” floor polish has been reduced to 8s 3d per dozen in the small sizes, and 16s 6d in the large sizes. A shipment of sugar arrived by the Kanna last week. Another shipment is due about May 10. On account of the continued increase in the price of Singapore pepper, packers have been compelled to increase the price of 2oz packets to 7s 3d per dozen, and 4oz packets to 13s 6d, with a proportioninnrnuco in nthpr RI7.PR

A parcel of South African evaporated apricots arrived last week by the Kanna, ex the Maimoa. The same vessel also brought a shipment of South African jams.