CITY MARKETS

Southland Times, Issue 23180, 22 April 1937, Page 3

CITY MARKETS

Grain Of Inferior Quality STRONGER MARKET FOR POTATOES . Oats.—Occasional lines are now being submitted by farmers, but in most cases the quality has been inferior. Practically all lines are-' badly discoloured and many of them are light in weight through the crops being down before cutting was begun. It seems apparent that there will be no A grade lines from this season’s crop and few, if any, B grade lines. The shipping market remains firm and there is also a demand from millers for any lines of sufficient weight and suitable condition. Values to farmers for shipping purposes are about 3/- a bushel for A grade and 2/10 for B grade. For heavy lines suitable for milling, however, up to 3/- a bushel has been paid irrespective of grade. Wheat. —It seems unlikely that any Southland grown wheat will pass milling quality this season. So far practically no new seasons’ wheat has been offering, and it is reported that a lot of samples have been badly damaged. In the meantime, supplies for the local poultry trade are being drawn from Canterbury. Prices for milling this month are:—Tuscan and Yeoman, 5/-; Hunter’s and Montana King, 5/2; Velvet, 5/4, these being on the basis of f.0.b., Bluff. Chaff.—Although there is not a great deal of chaff offering, supplies _ are sufficient for requirements. There is no shipping outlet from Bluff and business is confined to the supply of the limited local demand. Value to farmers is about £3 15/- a ton, 0.t.c.5., for good, bright quality. Ryegrass.—Reports from all districts indicate that practically the whole crop has been destroyed. A few odd lines have been saved, but the quantity available must be very small indeed. Unfortunately most of the lines that have been saved are. of very poor quality, being badly discoloured, light in weight and of low germination. These are not attractive commercially and growers cannot expect anything high in the way of prices. Value to farmers depends entirely on the quality of the samples, and. merchants are disinclined to buy until the seed is dressed and the germination ascertained. Other seeds.—There appears to be very little white clover saved and probably the opportunity to harvest this seed has been lost as the result of .the consistent wet weather. Very little Crested Dogstail is offering. It is reported that some has been saved in the Gore district, but it is understood that this seed is very dark in colour and it has probably suffered seriously in germination. Values to growers for Chewing’s Fescue have been from 9d to lOjd a pound for seed off the mill. There has been an easing in offerings from growers and most of those who threshed from the stock have now dealt with the seed. Other growers have put their seed into stack and it will not be available until late in the season. So far there has not been a great deal of Brown Top offering. A certain amount appears to have been saved in some districts, but very little is available from other parts. The demand has been easier and it is unlikely that growers could obtain more than 1/- a pound for machine-dressed certified seed and lOd to lid a pound for uncertified seed, both of export quality. Potatoes.—There have not been many offerings of potatoes from farmers so far. The shipping market seems to have firmed and the probable value to farmers for that purpose is about £4 a ton, o.tc.s. It is apparent that there is some shortage for the local demand, and farmers are at present securing higher prices on a commission basis. Demand For Apples Apples were in shorter supply in Invercargill during the past week and there is a strong demand for choice dessert lines. The majority of the consignments coming forward are export rejects which are being cleared at low prices. Dessert pears, which were scarce for a time, are now fairly plentiful, and prices are a little easier. Small lots of tomatoes are still coming forward, and choice lines are bringing very good prices although soft and inferior grades are hard to quit. The season may finish at any time. A few quinces are coming in and are realizing prices higher than normal. The shipment of Samoan and Niue bananas which arrived last week ex the Maui Pomare is practically cleared out of wholesale hands. The fruit arrived in green condition, but will probably ripen fairly quickly, and it is doubtful whether supplies will last out the interval before the next fourweekly shipment. Orange Famine The position of oranges is unaltered. There is practically a famine at present on the local market. In view of the fact that the Monterey, which arrived at Auckland on Friday, brought much less than the expected quantity of Californian oranges, Invercargill will be well served in comparison with the northern markets, the southern quota being due early next week. Approximately 130 cases are expected to arrive and these will serve to tide over requirements until the first of the Raratongan oranges arrive about the middle of May. Lemons, both Californian and New Zealand, are plentiful. , , Vegetables are in better supply, carrots, parspips and swedes offering in good quantities. Cabbage and cauliflower are less plentiful, and there is a strong inquiry for marrows and pumpkins, supplies of which are difficult to procure. . „ , .. A few lots of peaches and plums, the last of the season, arrived this week, prices being fairly low. Wholesale prices are as follows:— Apples.—Cox’s Orange, 7/- to 3/- a case; extra choice, to 10/6; Delicious, 6/- to 8/-; Jonathans, 5/- to 8/-; Grannie Smith, 7/6 to 8/6; cookers, 4/- to 6/-. Peaches.—3/- to 4/6 a box. Plums—3/- to 4/- a box. Dessert Pears.—Choice, to 5/6 a box; others, 3/- to 4/-. Outside-grown Tomatoes. —4d to 5a a pound. New Zealand Lemons.—ls/- a case. Quinces. —4/- to 4/6 a box. Carrots—To ljd a pound. Parsnips.—lid a pound. Celery.—4/- to 8/- a dozen. Cucumbers. —7/- to 8/- a dozen. Swedes. —To 3/- a bag. Pumpkins.—To 2d a pound. MERCHANDISE PRICES WHOLESALE Eggs,—Town, 1/10 to 1/1L Bran.—£6 a ton. 5 Butter.—First grade, 1/3; second grade, 1/2; separator, lid. Oatmeal.—2s’s £23 a ton; 200’s £22 10/- a ton. Pollard.—loo’s, £7 10/- a ton; 150’s. £7 5/- a ton.

Flour.—2oo’s, £l3 15/6 a ton; 100’s, £l4 12/6 a ton; 50’s, £l4 17/6 a ton; 25’s. £l5 7/6 a ton. RETAIL Eggs.—2/1 to 2/3. Bran.—7/6 a 1001 b. Butter.—l/4| to 1/s|; separator, 1/1. Flour.—2s’s 4/6; 50’s 8/6; 100’s 16/-. Oatmeal.—2s’s 6/6; 50’s 12/9. Pollard.—9/- a 1001 b. Onions.—Blb for 1/-. Potatoes. —10 to 121 b for If-,