PRODUCE MARKETS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3994, 30 September 1930, Page 15

PRODUCE MARKETS.

CHRISTCHURCH, September 26. Merchants are merely marking time at present, as there is no produce’to sell with the exception of potatoes. Even these have eased in price since the midwi ek report, and there is very little inquiry for them. There is still a goo.l

quantity of potatoes in Canterbury, but some growers say that they would prefer to allow their potatoes to rot than accept the prices which are at present offering, namely. £2 10s to £2 15s a ton, on trucks. A line was sold during the week at £3, on trucks, but since then the price has fallen by 5s to 10s a ton. Some merchants decline to deal in old potatoes after the end of September, but others have been known to do their best business in October. The Karepo will load at Lyttelton on Monday and Tuesday next. She will probably take 4000 sacks of potatoes from here to Auckland and about 2000 sacks from Timaru. There is very little business passing in oats or chaff. Chaff from Tasmania con-, tinues to come on to the Auckland market. It is not of such good quality as Canterbury chaff, the value of which to-day is £5 a ton. on trucks. Only an odd line of oats changes hands. To-day’s quotations are 4s Id, f.0.b., A’s, and 3s for B’s for prompt delivery. Southern oats are quoted at 3s 7d to 3s.Bd for A’s, f.0.b., s.i. Some Canadian oats are expected to reach Auckland about the end of the month.

A good many of the Canterbury onions did not keep well, and stocks are not now large. Canadian onions are due here next, month, and it -is anticipated that they will meet with a good demand.