CITY TRADING

Southland Times, Issue 23946, 12 October 1939, Page 3

CITY TRADING

MORE MOVEMENT IN OATS MARKET RESTRICTED DEMAND FOR CHAFF By OUR COMMERCIAL EDITOR Wednesday Evening. More activity in the oats market is reported. There is a restricted demand for chaff and little business in ryegrass is being done. Oats.—There is a little more movement in the oats market. Seed oats for farmers’ requirements is now going out more freely and there is a fair demand for undergrade oats for shipment. The milling demand is still quiet, and millers are showing no keenness to add to their stocks. Values to growers range from 2/- to 2/3 a bushel for grade oats and 1/8 to 1/11 for undergrades, o.t.c.s. Wheat.—Practically all milling wheat has passed into the hands of millers. Many growers intended increasing their sowings of oats but that has been hampered by the unfavourable weather. Values for milling wheat, f.o.b. Bluff are 5/11 for. Tuscan, 6/1 for Hunters and 6/3 for Velvet. There has been no improvement in values for good whole fowl wheat lines, although stocks are now moving off more freely. Value to farmers is 4/9 a bushel, o.t.c.s. Chaff.—The demand is only a local one, and it is very restricted. Supplies are offering more freely than the amount which is being absorbed. The only quality in demand is good, bright quality, for which the value is quoted at £3/10/- a ton, o.t.c.s.

Ryegrass.—Business between merchants and growers is practically finished for the season, except that merchants are holding considerable quantities of low-germination seed on some growers’ accounts. The quality of the seed does not appeal to merchants, and it is being dealt with on growers’ account. Much difficulty has been experienced in quitting this class of seed. Better quality lines are in good demand and are saleable at ruling rates.

Browntop.—Apart from the little activity shown a short time ago this mar-' ket is dormant. There still is an absence of an overseas demand on which this market depends for much of its trade. Value to growers for machinedressed seed is 1/1J a pound for certified seed and and one penny a pound less for uncertified.-

Potatoes.—Practically all of farmers' supplies have passed into merchants’ hands, and it seems likely that there will be a shortage before the new sea-: son’s crop comes on to the market. The few remaining lines in growers’ hands are realizing about £l6 a ton for King Edwards and £1 a ton less for Arran Chiefs.

ORANGES IN SHORT SUPPLY A shipment of Australian Valencia oranges arrived by the Waitaki on Tuesday, but it was much smaller than expected and it is probable that requirements will not be filled. Supplies of oranges from other sources are not obtainable at present and there is no likelihood of the demand ■ being satisfied by shipments which are likely to arrive in the next few months. New Zealand lemons' have been coming to hand regularly and a steady demand has been met.

A shipment of Californian grapes reached the market this week. The fruit opened up in good condition. A small quantity of Australian grape fruit was released on Monday. It met with a strong demand. At the end of last week a small quantity of Samoan bananas came to hand. This consignment was welcomed by retailers whose supplies were in a low state.

Apples are in short supply and prices are firming steadily. It is not likely that the demand will be satisfied for more than a few weeks, as there is little prospect of consignments being continued after the middle of November.

The demand for vegetables has been good. Supplies are fairly plentiful, although cauliflowers have been hard to get. Following is a range of prices obtained at auction:—

Apples.—Choice Delicious, up to 16/— a case; choice Stunners, 12/- to 14/-; others, 8/- to 11/-. Californian grapes, 35/- to 42/6.

Marmalade oranges, to 15/- a case. Cauliflowers, to 10/- a sack. Cabbages, to 4/6 a case. Rhubarb, 2/6 to 3/6 a dozen bundles.

Lettuce, 2/6 to 5/- a dozen. Spring Onions, to 2/- a dozen bunches.

Carrots, to IJd per lb. Parsnips, 2Jd per lb. RANGE OF PRICES Wholesale Bran.—£6 a ton. Butter.—First grade, 1/4J.

Oatmeal.—2s’s £25/10/- a ton'; 200’s £23/10/- 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 £l5/17/6 a ton. Retail Bran.—7/6 per 1001 b.

Butter. —1/6J. Oatmeal.—s’s 1/8; 25’s 7/9. Flour.—2s’s 4/6; 50’s 8/6; 100’s 16/-. Pollard.—9/- per 1001 b. Onions.—3lb for 1/-. Potatoes (local). —51b for 1/-. EGG PRICES Egg prices were quoted today at 1/1 a dozen wholesale and from 1/3 to 1/4 a dozen retail. Country prices Id a dozen less. SEPARATOR BUTTER Today separator butter was quoted at from 1/1 to 1/2 per lb wholesale and 1/3 to 1/4 per lb retail.

MINING

GREY RIVER (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 11. The Grey River dredge return was 302 ounces from 73,400 cubic yards in 130 hours.