CITY TRADING

Southland Times, Issue 24005, 21 December 1939, Page 3

CITY TRADING

LACK OF INTEREST IN ALL SECTIONS MERCHANTS NOT KEEN TO LAY IN STOCKS By OUR COMMERCIAL EDITOR Because of the approach of the holiday season there is a lack of interest in all produce markets. Merchants are not keen to lay in stocks as they wish to conserve all then- storage space for the handling of wool. Oats.—Practically all of last season’s crops has been dealt with and not much more interest will be taken as far as Southland is concerned until the approach of the harvesting of the new season’s crop. Values to growers art, nominally 2/6 a bushel for A grade and 2/2 for B grade. Wheat.—All of the past , season’s milling wheat has been disposed of and business is confined to a few transactions in fowl wheat. This market is quiet and value to growers for good, whole fowl wheat quality is 4/9 a bushel, sacks extra, o.t.c.s. Chaff.—The supply has been more than sufficient to meet the limited local requirements. Merchants, are buying only for actual requirements as they do not wish to occupy storage space with stocks. Value to growers for good, bright quality is £3/10/- a ton, 0.t.c.3. Ryegrass.—All past season’s stocks are cleared, with the exception of a quantity of low-germinating seed in merchants’ stores, this quality being practically unsaleable. The new season’s crop is progressing favourably as a result of the warm weather of the last week or two. A smaller quantity than usual of Southland certified seed has been “shut up,” but the area of certified seed being saved has shown an increase. Growers have been finding that they have a readier outlet for the certified seed than for the ordinary Southland seed, provided germination is satisfactory. If the present weather continues the quality and the germination of the new season’s seed should be satisfactory, as present conditions do not favour the fungus which detrimentally affects the germination of seeds. It is rather early yet to give an indication of the probable values, but as there is no good quality seed left on hand, the prospects for favourable price returns to the growers seem encouraging. , Brown top.—This market remains very dull. There is no shipping outlet at the present time and until an export demand is available there is little prospect of an improvement in prices. Values to growers for machine-dressed seed are about 1/1 for certified and 1/for uncertified.

Chewings fescue.—The crops oi fescue are coming on well and there should be quite a satisfactory production during the coming season. “Firstcut” crops, after skimming, have not progressed as well as expected, but this should be offset by the good returns that are expected from the “second cut.” At the present time it is not possible to give indications of probable opening prices. Merchants are concerned about the possible loss of outlets because of the war but it is hoped that the demand will be sufficient to absorb the supplies. Potatoes.—Business in old potatoes is finished, and the local demand is being met with early lots of new potatoes. Present quotations for next shipping season from Canterbury range from £6 to £6/5/-, f.o.b. s.i., for May-June, and May-June-July shipments. As far as Southland is concerned merchants do not indulge in forward business in potatoes. Values for main crop varieties will depend on the demand from about April onward. SUPPLIES OF VEGETABLES Vegetables of all varieties are in fair supply on the marts and values are being maintained for most lines, with the exception of green peas, which are much lower in price than is usual at this season of the year. New potatoes are in good supply, the quality being good. The season for strawberries has been exceptionally short and practically none will be available for the holiday season. Stone fruits, with the exception of cherries, are later in arriving than usual. Oranges are in good supply. Bananas will probably be in short supply at Christmas, but by New Year they should be more plentiful. Supplies of Australian lemons are adequate for requirements. Apples of the Stunner and Delicious varieties ex cool store are still arriving in fair quantities. These will constitute the sole supply for the Christmas and New Year demand as no American apples are coming forward this year. Following is a range of prices obtained at auction:—

Apples, extra fancy Sturmers and Delicious, 17/- to 20/- a case. Cherries, 8d to 1/6 a pound. Hothouse tomatoes, 1/- to 1/4 a pound. Gooseberries, 2d to 2|d a pound. Cauliflowers, 10/- to 13/- a bag. Cabbages, 2/- to 3/6 a case. New potatoes, South Island, 3Jd to 4|d a pound; North Island, to 2d. White turnips, 2/- to 2/6 a dozen bundles.

Green peas, 2/d to 3|d a pound. Lettuce, 2/6 to 3/6 a dozen. Carrots, 2/6 to 3/- a dozen bunches. 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. —1/6|. 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. —5d per lb. New potatoes.—4d to 6d per lb. EGG PRICES Egg prices were qqoted yesterday from 1/4 to 1/6 a dozen wholesale and from 1/7 to 1/10 a dozen retail. Country prices Id a dozen less. SEPARATOR BUTTER Yesterday separator butter was quoted at 8d to 1/- per lb wholesale and 1/2 per lb retail. The prices of eggs and separator butter vary from day to day. The prices quoted above were those in force yesterday.