PRICES OF FOODSTUFFS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17452, 29 December 1930, Page 6

PRICES OF FOODSTUFFS

RETAIL COSTS UNMOVED ONLY FEW SMALL REDUCTIONS Only in a few commodities is there any downward movement in the retail prices of foodstuffs in Gisborne. Providing a basis for comparison ip connection with retail prices last April and at present, a leading Gisborne grocer mentioned to-day that in butter only was there any real decrease in retail value. Last April, butter was selling over the counter at Is 6d for cash, while the cost now was down to Is 4d, and this, even, was higher than the average English retail price for this Dominion’s produce. Flour, he added, had remained on a \ firm level of as fid fbr a 2,Mb. bag, and with no movement in Hour prices one could not hope for a reduction ;n the price of bread. Sugar had declined a little, but the difference yet was not great, a 701 b. bag, having fallen from 14s 6d in April to 13s 9d at present, and, although a further decrease of 3d was forecast after the new year, the drop would not be great compared with the position eight months ago. Sago, rice/ and tapioca had fallen from 4d to 3d per lb., but apart from that all prices were firm on the April rates. Tinned fruits, for instance, were still selling at Is 4d per tin, and, while the summer demand for this food continues, a reduction in price did not appeiir likely. Animal food had decreased in some lines, and for bran and pollard a 2001 b. sack, when sold at 23s in April, was now worth only 14s 6d.

The only other reduction the grocer could point to was in respect of eggs, which were .selling at 3s 6d in April, and now were worth only Is 4d a dozen. This, however, is the usual seasonal fluctuation, and there was no doubt that the price would rise again when the seasonal scarcity came round nice more. Eggs now are dearer than a few months ago, when they were selling at Is 3d over the counter.

The grocer mentioned that all prices quoted above were for cash over the counter.