OTAGO PRODUCE MARKETS

Southland Times, Issue 23948, 14 October 1939, Page 3

OTAGO PRODUCE MARKETS

LITTLE BUSINESS IN FOWL WHEAT GOOD DEMAND FOR ALL VARIETIES OF SEEDS (United Press Association) DUNEDIN, October 13. An occasional line of milling wheat is reaching the market and is being taken up by millers. The fowl wheat market remains quiet, with little business going through. Most North Island merchants are being supplied from Australia, but Napier and Gisborne, which are served by east coast steamer service from the south, continue to fill their requirements from South Island ports, chiefly Lyttelton and Bluff. Local wholesale value for quantity is 5/9 a bushel, sacks extra, with small lots ex stores saleable at 6/3, sacks extra. Farmers are still sowing wheat, but it is now getting rather late for spring planting. The varieties of seed wheat most favoured are Cross 7 and Jumbuck. The oat market is firm. As a result of only limited stocks now being available, inquiries are being received for shipment. Sales of A Gartons are being made at 3/5 f.0.b.5.i., with B’s at 3/2 f.o.b.s.i. The demand from the country for seed oats continues, and all Gartons are getting into short compass. Millers are still prepared to buy heavy Gartons. A Gartons are worth 2/6 to 2/7, sacks extra, on trucks country sidings, and B’s 2/2, Supplies of chaff are on the light side, but there is sufficient to meet the demand. Best quality truck loads are worth £4/10/- a ton, sacks extra Small lots ex stores are worth £4/15/- sacks extra. Farmers are busy with spring work and a few consignments are reaching the market. POTATO MARKET The market for old potatoes is experiencing a final flutter for the season. Stocks are getting into small compass and it will not be long before North Island new potatoes will be on the market. New potatoes from South Island growers should also be to hand soon. Supplies of Canadian potatoes are also on the market and further consignments are to come forward. Freshly picked old potatoes are selling at £l6 to £l7 a ton. sacks included. The recent advance in prices resulted in an announcement from the Government that prices are not to exceed the values ruling on September 1. Seed potatoes are selling freely and stocks are getting into short compass. King Edwards have the keenest demand. ,as this variety meets with most favour from consumers.

There is a good demand for all varieties of seeds. Merchants are busy delivering orders received from the Government for sowing in the North Island. There is also a demand from farmers in the South Island. The ryegrass market is firm, esneciallv for good germinating lines. There is still a quantity of low-germinating ryegrass available, but it is difficult to olaee this class if seed. The cocksfoot market is steady, with price levels’ maintained. The white clover market is firm with stocks >n the short side Sales of cowgrass have again been made to overseas buyers, and this has firmed values. The market fot Montgomery clover shows a firming tendency Little business is being transacted in either fescue or brown too. FRUIT REPORT Small supplies of apples are arriving from the cool stores. A shipment of Australian Valencia oranges, comprising approximately 2000 cases, arrived on the market during the week. The demand was greater than could be supplied by the shipment, and it had to be rationed among retailers The fruit, which arrived in excellent order, was priced at 1/- a case above the price for the previous shipment Bananas are in short supply. No further shipments are in sight for the time being The next shipment is expected to be a large one to make up for the absence of the usual shipment through the breakdown in transport bv the Maui Pomare. High values are ruling for Californian grapes. Supplies of New Zealand-grown lemons are steadily reaching the market. Small lots of hothouse tomatoes are arriving from Auckland and Canterbury and are bringing very high prices CANTERBURY MARKET (United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, October 13 'The better northern demand in the potato market has been maintained and prices to growers remain at the level to which they advanced earlier in ‘he week—£ls for Dakotas and £l6 for Suttons. Only small supplies are Being offered from the country and most orders are being supplied from stores. Small quantities are still held by growers and they will probably all be disposed of by the end of the month.