SIXPENCE A SACK

Southland Times, Issue 21822, 27 September 1932, Page 2

SIXPENCE A SACK

SURPLUS OF CAULIFLOWERS. LOSS TO GROWERS. An unprecedented slump in the market for cabbages and cauliflowers has caused the prices of these vegetables to fall te the lowest point reached during the last 30 years (states the New Zealand Herald). It is now possible to buy cauliflowers at the low figure of 6d to 1/6 a sack, which cannot bring a profit to the grower. Cabbages are little better, the top price being as low as 2/6 a sack. The chief cause of the phenomenally low price is the increased activity on the part of farmers in the cultivation of vegetables. Small landholders in every near-by district are growing cabbages and cauliflowers to supplement their reduced incomes. The consequence is that these vegetables have become so plentiful that the market is swamped and the cost of carting, even, is not repaid. From Avondale this is 4d and the cost of the sack is 4d, which means a loss of 2d on every sack of vegetables sold at the minimum ruling price. The same applies to pumpkins. Twelve months ago they were selling at £l4 10/- to £l5 a ton. In November last the price rose as high as £22, but they are now bringing £5 10/- a ton retail. Similar price falls, though to a lesser degree, have affected almost every vegetable in season. Potatoes and onions are practically the only vegetables that are now payable. The only New Zealand onions available are selling at around 35/- a cwt. The progress of the early potatoes at Pukekohe has been considerably retarded by the frosts. What are procurable sell at about 21d. a lb. wholesale. One large city firm, which handled about 20 Osacks a day last year, now has a daily turnovei’ of less than 30 sacks. It is anticipated that plentiful supplies of Pukekohe potatoes will be on the market in about a month.