OTAGO PRODUCE MARKETS

Southland Times, Issue 24153, 15 June 1940, Page 3

OTAGO PRODUCE MARKETS

FEW OFFERINGS OF MILLING WHEAT FIRM DEMAND CONTINUES FOR CHAFF (United Press Association) DUNEDIN, June 14. Unfavourable weather throughout the South Island is having an effect on the sowing of seed for next season’s wheat crop in the southern districts. A fair quantity of wheat is sown in the spring after the turnips have been eaten off. In a number of cases, however, the ground, which is already available for spring sowing, cannot be ploughed because of the wet condition of the soil.

The milling wheat market, remains unchanged. There are practically no offerings, but millers hold, sufficient stocks to carry them on till the new season’s wheat is available. The fowl wheat market is unchanged. Supplies on offer are on the light side, but distributors are holding ample stocks to meet the immediate demands of poultry keepers. Best quality is worth 5/9 a bushel wholesale, sacks extra, with some lots ex stores realizing 6/3 a bushel, sacks extra. The oat market remains firm. Few lines are on offer from the country and millers have been finding it difficult to obtain their requirements. The position has been accentuated by a shortage of supplies in Canterbury and merchants there are now buying lines suitable for seed from Southland. North Island merchants are also drawing their requirements from Otago and Southland. The present shipping values are 4/9 a bushel for A Gartons and 4/6 for B’s, both f.o.b.s.i. These prices are equivalent to 3/9 and 3/6 respectively, on trucks country sidings, sacks extra. Lines heavy in weight have been placed with millers at above the prices named. The chaff market continues firm m sympathy with the strong tone in the oats market. Broken weather has prevented cutting in the country and stocks in stores are on"' the light side. Best quality oaten sheaf chaff is worth £7 a ton for truck loads, with small lots ex stores saleable at 10/-. Fresh developments have occurred m the potato market during tire week and these have resulted in a little more firmness in the market. It is reported that the Australian Government has purchased 5000 tons of potatoes from the New Zealand Marketing Department. Supplies locally are ample for the requirements of the trade. Some growers continue to dig their crops while the ground is in a wet condition and the potatoes are damp and earthy as a consequence and difficult to sell. The local market has been above shipping parity in Canterbury. Good quality Arran Chiefs are quoted in Dunedin at £4/10/- a ton, sacks included, ex store, and King Edwards at £1 a ton more. There is no material change in any of the seed markets. On one hand offerings from the country of all varieties of seed are very light, but on the other hand merchants are not showing much interest in the market.

FRUIT MARTS Business has been quiet in the fruit marts during the week. There have been no shipments of overseas fruit to hand and only small quantities of apples have been placed in the marts by the Marketing Department. Sales of apples have improved and heavy stocks have now been more or less cleared. Only small lots of pears are on offer from the cool stores. Another consignment of island oranges is expected next week. Australian Navels will be on the local market in July. The shipment of Australian lemons which had been expected on the market this week has been held up. The shipment is now expected next week. The market is bare of supplies in the meantime. Passion fruit is still arriving from the Bay of Islands. Local hothouse tomatoes continue to reach the marts in small lots. Hothouse grapes are finished for the season. Supplies of Poorman oranges have been erratic, but they are expected to improve within the next week or two. Jam melons are on offer from Hawke’s Bay.