DUNEDIN MARKETS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3993, 23 September 1930, Page 17

DUNEDIN MARKETS.

WHEAT, OATS, ETC. T . Friday Evening. it is noticeable that during the past fortnight there has been little demand for - seed wheat It is usual at this time of the year for a fair quantity to be delivered to farmers, but they have apparently carried opt their sow-ing earlier than in ordinary seasons. The area planted iu Otago will, however, be much larger than has been the case for a number of years past. The earlier sowing of wheat wdll prove advantageous, as the harvest will also be earlier and there will be a greater likelihood of the crops being saved in good condition. The yields should likewise be heavier.

As regards the market conditions of milling wheat, they remain unchanged. There is still a. demand for Tuscan*, but little of this variety is offering. The prices fixed by the pool are 6s 6Jd, f.0.b., sacks extra, for Tuscan, with the usual advances for other varieties. The prices to the growers depend on the cost of railing to the port.

The fowl wheat market is quiet, and the amount of business passing is smaller than for a number of years past. North Island poultry keepers continue to use maize, but with the approach of warmer weather there should be a better demand for wheat, as it proves more satisfactory with warmer climatic conditions. The current local price is 6s 3d per bushel, sacks extra, ex store, and the quotation from Canterbury for shipment to the North Island is 6s 24d, f.0.b., sacks extra. Only a limited quantity of fowl wheat is now held by the pool.

Some interest is being displayed in next season’s wheat, both milling and fowl feed. Milling wheat has been sold forward fairly freely at a price which shows a decline on this season’s rates. The forward quotation from Canterbury for fowl wheat is 5s Bd, f.0.b.. sacks extra. Millers’ prices for flour, etc., are at follow:—

Flour: 2001 b. £l7 ss; 100’s, £lB ss; 50’s, £lB 10s; 25’s, £l9. Bran, £7 10s per ton. Pollard, £7 15s per ton. Oatmeal: 2001 b, £24 10s; 25’s, £25 10s. Although the oat market has weakened, and sales of A Gartons have been made at as low as 3s 7d, f.0.b., s.i., for shipment at the Bluff, oats cannot be obtained at this figure in Dunedin. There have been inquiries for small parcels for shipment to the North Island, and sales have been made at 3s 9d, f.0.b., s.i., with a difficulty in securing supplies. In Canterbury the prices are higher still, and up to 4s, f.0.b.. s.i., has been paid for oats required in the North Island. The difference between the prices named at the Bluff and Dunedin and Lyttelton is accounted for by the fact that steamers only sail monthly from the Bluff to the North Island, and that buyer*

•who require prompt delivery have to do business with the ports from which they can get quicker despatch. The prices being realised at this port are equivalent to 8s 2d, sacks extra, on trucks, country sidings, for A’s, and 3s Id for B’s. The September demand for seed oats ie on the light side. Quotations are now appearing on the market lor next seasons oats, April-September delivery. The F G are forward sellers at 3s sdf.ob 5.1., with no response from possible buye s. The local demand for chaff is quiet, jnd the same position obtains so far a? shipping business is concerned. Hit northern markets show a further in", and it is now considered that there wih not be much chaff shipped from this port, as'the prices asked by growers in the Otago district prevent business being done at a profit. An occasional order is received from the North Island for choice quality chaff, but the bulk of the chaff coming in has to be placed on the local market. It is, however, difficult to Imu buyers, and most of the consignment? have to be put into stores. Best quality is worth £5 10s per ton, sacks extra, ex truck. . ~ . , The potato market continues to drag, and there is a tendency on the part of some Canterbury holders to get rid of their stocks’. Quotations are being received from Canterbury of £3 10s per ton, sacks in, on trucks, this price being equivalent to £4 5s per ton, sacks included, ex truck, Dunedin. Only choice, freshly 7 picked lines are saleable. Other sorts are held in storee 1 , and are difficult to sell even at low rates. The spring demand for seeds is increasing, as the present fine weather has caused a number of farmers to eow out earlier than usual. Deliveries to the country are improving, but, apart from these orders, little business is being transacted. The wholesale market remains fairly firm, and is steadied by the inquiries received from overseas for certain lines.

Produce lines are quoted wholesale as follow: —

Chaff: Prime quality, £5 10s per ton, ex truck; medium, £4 to £5 per ton, sacks extra. Potatoes: Choice, to £4 5s per ton. Eggs: Stamped, Is Id to Is 2d; ease, Is. ’ Dairy butter: Milled bulk, Is Id per lb; pa to, Is. Bacon, Is 3d per lb. Hams: Ordinary, Is 3d; boneless, Is id per lb. Onions: Californian, 22s per bag; Melbournes, 10s per cwt. The er«X market continues irregular and weak. Honey: 5s to 5s 6d per 101 b tins; 3s to 3j 6d for 51b tins; and 5d per lb for bulk. FRUIT REPORT. in small lots, continue to arrive from Central Otago. Some choice Stunners and Delicious have reached the market from Cromwell, and these were readily sold. Delicious apples, grown m Alexandra, have come forward poorly graded. It would be to the interest of growers to see that their cases are correctly labelled. A special meeting of growers is to be held in Alexandra to endeavour to arrange for the standard packing of all grades of fruit. If an arrangement can be reached it should prove a distinct advantage to everyone connected with the trade..

Dessert pears are now practically off the market.

Bananas are in short supply. The small shipment of Samoans which arrived ex the Waipiata was cleared at prices ranging up to 29s 6d per case. Reports from Invercargill state that as high as 39s 6d per case was obtained for bananas from the same shipment. This latter price must be considered as something in the nature of a record. A line of Rarotongan bananas also brought high prices. The Maui Pomare is to take up her running again some time next month, and regular shipments should then come forward.

Island tomatoes have firmed in price. Only small lots are on offer. A fair-sized consignment of kumeras arrived from the North Island and met a ready sale. Island-grown oranges are in short supply, and prices are high. The Maheno, which is due on Tuesday morning, is bringing a supply of navels. It is not expected that the shipment will be a large one; as the season in Victoria is well advanced, and shippers are not in-

clined to risk sending heavy supplies, as the fruit does .not now keep, very well. A parcel of late Valencias is expected shortly from Australia. The Maheno will also bring a fair supply of mandarins. These will come to a bare market. » Lemons are plentiful. New Zealandgrown are offering at low rates, and this So affecting the sale of Australian-grown.

American-grown grapes are now out of wholesale hands. Further supplies are expected in about 10 days’ time. The Maheno will bring a small lot of Aus-tralian-grown. Citrus fruits from Sydney are expected by the Waikouaiti. which is coming to Dunedin, via Wellington and Lyttelton. Cauliflowers have been in heavy supply, but prices keep steady. Spring cabbage are offering in small lots and have a good sale. Choice lettuce realise sound prices. Poor quality are hard to place. Small lots of new potatoes came to hand during the week from Sawyer’s Bay. The prices realised —up to Is 4d per lb—were not equal to those received at this period in previous years. Celery is about finished for the season. Carrots are in short supply. Rhubarb is more plentiful, and prices have eased. Wholesale prices are as follow: — Apples: Delicious, choice 8s 6d to 12s Cd, others 4s 6d to 7s 6d; Democrats, 7s 6d to 8s 6d; Sturmers, choice to 10s. others 5s to 7s; cookers, choice to Bs, others to 5s Cd.

Bananas: Ripe, to 32s 6d per case. Oranges: Australian navels, 18s to 21s •per case; Valencias, 14e to 10s; Poorman, 8s to 9s. Lemons: Australian, 14s to 18s per case.

Mandarins, 14s to 16s per case. American grapes, 27s Cd to 30s per keg. Passions, 18s to 22s per case.

Pineapples, 18s to 21s per case. Island tomatoes, 15s to 16s 6d per box. Cauliflowers: Choice, 6s to 8s 6d per sack of 18; others, 3s to 5s per sack. Swedes, 2s 6d per cental bag; sacks, 4s 6d to ss. Spring cabbages, 5s 6d per case of two dozen.

Savoys, 2s Cd to 4s 6d per sack. Lettuce, 2s to 5s per dozen. Potatoes, 5s to Cs per cwt. Kumeras, 2d to 2}d per lb. Carrots, Is per dozen bunches. Brussels sprouts, lid to 3d per lb. Leeks, 4d per bunch. Parsnips, Cs Cd to 7s per cental bag. Rhubarb, 5s to 6s per dozen bunches. Honey, 5s to 5s Cd per 101 b tins; 51b tins, 3s to 3s Cd; bulk, 5d per lb. MERCHANDISE MARKET. Saturday Morning. Merchants report that there are no indications of any reduction in the prices of commoflities —in fact, the actual experience is that most prices have advanced. Many lines of imported goods have now to bear additional charges, and it would seem that there is no possibility of any reduction in the prices of merchandise lines for the time being. A line of Hawaiian pineapples was landed last week. These came to a bare market. Crushed quality has been in short supply since last January, and it is meeting with a particularly good sale. The next sugar boat is the Wingatui. due on October 1.

Tintex dye has made an appearance on the market in a new packing. Merchants are experiencing a good demand for Norton’s, Crossfield’s, and Ovoline egg preservatives. The low prices of eggs are encouraging housewives to lay down supplies earlier than usual. The Narbada has brought supplies of sago, tapioca, pineapples, lentils, and haricot beans.

Colgate’s soaps, dental creams, etc., show an increase in price. A new line of shaving cream—Q-tol — has made an appearance on the market. The Golden Cross landed supplies of seeded and seedless raisins. Thompson’s unbleached seedless raisins, Canadian flour; and flowers of sulphur. Merchants have received notice that in future there will not be any bonus scheme in connection with transactions in Karswood’s poultry spice. Radox bath salts, and Kruschen salts. The bonus scheme had been in operation for many years.