PRODUCE MARKETS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3993, 23 September 1930, Page 14

PRODUCE MARKETS.

CHRISTCHURCH, September 19. Between Wednesday and yesterday the price of potatoes took a jump from £3 10s to £4 ss, fo.b., s.i., and one sale was made at £4 10s. f.0.b., s.i. Yesterday a sale was made at £4 2s 6d, f.0.b., s.i. On Thursday night there were buyers at 85s, but no sellers. Yesterday the position was reversed. There were sellers at 85s, but no buyers at that figure, though business could be done at a little lower price. The Karetu left Lyttelton last night with potatoes for Auckland, and the Waimarino, which is now loading at Timaru, will be at Lyttelton on Monday to take further supplies for Auckland. Though the season is now far advanced, and picking-over was started, growers seemed disinclined to sell, generally speaking, except at higher than market price. It would appear that notwithstanding the presence on the Auckland market of new potatoes, that market has rapidly absorbed the supplies which have been sent lately from the South Island. The price quoted to-day to farmers is £3, on trucks, which is low for this time of year, and farmers are disinclined to sell at this figure. There is a demand for October supplies.

Millers are buying supplies of wheat freely from the Wheat Pool, and there is practically no wheat left in growers’ hands. Fowl wheat is also moving off, the demand for this coming chiefly from the West Coast and the North Island.

Chaff is now offering more freely than it was earlier in the season. Where it has come from; in view of the hard winter which was experienced is something of a mystery. For good bright quality £5 to £5 5s a ton is being offered.