OTAGO PRODUCE MARKETS

Southland Times, Issue 23828, 27 May 1939, Page 4

OTAGO PRODUCE MARKETS

Cargo Of Australian Wheat OATS IN LIFELESS CONDITION (United Press Association) DUNEDIN, May 26. A further shipment of Australian wheat was discharged at Dunedin during the week. It was only a small one, the total being about 6000 sacks. A further shipment is due to arrive on May 31 ex the Kekerangu from Port Pirie. With supplies of New Zealand wheat available and Australian wheat landed and to land, millers will have sufficient stocks to carry them over until next season’s crop is harvested. Odd samples representing lines threshed from the stack are still reaching the market. The quality varies, and where the wheat is not up to milling standard it has to be placed for poultry feeding purposes. T ouiries continue from farmers for seed wheat, and a fair area will be sown during the winter months. The total area will represent a substantial increase in savings in this district for the 1939-40 season. The market for fowl wheat is unchanged. Supplies are increasing but merchants are prepared to carry stocks to meet the demand later on in the season. Small lots are selling ex store at 6/3 a bushel, sacks extra. The oat market continues in a lifeless condition, and the demand from ■millers and also for shipment to the North Island is very quiet. This applies to Garton oats required for milling, and also to feed lines. The only oats in demand are Duns and Algerians. Both of these varieties are scarce and each is saleable at a substantial advance on prices obtainable for white oats. . The shipping quotation for A Gartons is 3/1 f.0.b., s.i., and for B’s 2/10 f.0.b., s.i. In some instances lower figures than these are being accepted. The value of oats in the country is on a basis of 2/8 sacks extra for A Gartons, 2/- for B’s and 1/9 for undergrade. The last-named quality predominates in offerings during a poor inquiry. Merchants are disinclined to operate in any lines. CHAFF IN POOR DEMAND

Chaff is in poor demand. Quotations have been reduced in an endeavour to effect sales, but stocks are still accumulating. The current quotation is £4/5/a ton, sacks extra, for best quality, ex truck. Small lots ex the stores are worth £4/15/-, sacks extra. There is no shipping demand for this port consequent on prices being higher than those ruling in Canterbury. There is a tendency for consignments of potatoes to ease off as most farmers have now dug their crops. The market is again inclined to firm and sales have been made during the week at £B/10/a ton for best quality Arran Chiefs. King Edwards are in very short supply, and with the market firming all the time values are really not quotable. i The seed markets with one or two exceptions are quiet. The cocksfoot market continues steady. The quality of this seed this season is particularly good. There is a demand from overseas for white clover. The quantity of white clover is on the small side, most of the producing / districts being bare of supplies. z Montgomery red clover is still falling in value following on the large crop available and the absence of an export demand. The crested dogstail market is steady and good lines are difficult to procure. The quality of this seed on offer from Southland is very poor. During the week there has been more inquiry for Chewings fescue and brown top. The markets for these two lines firmed slightly because of an increased demand from overseas following on a rise in prices in America for fine seeds. FRUIT REPORT Fair supplies of Jamaican oranges are still held in the marts. No further supplies of oranges are expected until June 19 when the Waitaki from Melbourne is due to land the first of the season’s Australian navels. There is still an acute shortage of lemons. A shipment of Australiangrown was expected every day this week, but up to today it had not made an appearance. Many retailers are out of stocks and the position is worse than it has been for some time. Apples are still in good supply, with only choice quality realizing satisfactory prices. Hothouse tomatoes have a good demand. Small quantities of outride grown are still arriving from Canterbury and Central Otago.

CANTERBURY MARKET SLIGHT FIRMING IN POTATOES (United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, May 26. There has been a slight firming in the potato market this week which has been ascribed to oversellers coming on to the market to complete their May commitments. The improvement was quite substantial, representing about 15/- a tori in the week. Quotations today were £6/15/- to £7 a ton on trucks. The dearth of an Auckland inquiry continues. Reports from Auckland are that supplies are plentiful, the Waipiata having arrived early this week with a fairly heavy shipment. It is expected, however, that there may be a firming next month. There is still a good .deal of complaint about the non-arrival from the Department of Agriculture of potato certification lists. Many growers who have potatoes entered are afraid that if there is further delay certification will be of little use to them. The small seeds market is very dull, any business transacted being in small quantities. DAIRY PRODUCE MARKET BUTTER FIRM LONDON, May 25. The butter market is firmer. Quotations: —

BUTTER Danish May 18 122/May 25 118/New Zealand — Choicest salted Unsalted 110/Australian — Choicest salted Unsalted 104/107/- to 109/CHEESE New Zealand— White Coloured AustralianWhite Coloured 48/48/-