Grocery Review

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 260, 24 January 1928, Page 12

Grocery Review

QUIETER TONE PREVAILS ACID QUOTATIONS WITHDRAWN EASIER MARKET FOR LENTILS The Sun Office, January 24, 1928. As was only to be expected, trade generally has been much quieter this past week, but it is anticipated that the 25th orders, which are always booked forward to the next month's account, will brighten things up considrably. The schools do not reopen until next week, and the absence of the children in the shops this month has been most noticeable, but with ordinary conditions again prevailing no doubt an all-round improvement will soon be in evidence. There are few price alterations to record this week, markets generally continuing most favourable to buyers, many of whom are taking advantage of the offers being made to cover for their requirements for forward shipment even as far ahead as August next. Soaps.—The breaking up of the Soap Manufacturers’ Association has greatly upset the market, and offers are being made to the trade to-day which show a serious decline on the prices previously ruling. In some quarters it is -contended that this is not justified, as the tallow market has been very firm during the past few weeks, but it is stated that several of the manufacturers have been losing trade to makers who were outside of the association, consequently there was dissatisfaction. This has meant a slight gain to the public by a small reduction in the retail section. It is stated, however, that possibly the position will be reviewed in a few months' time, when perhaps a payable working basis will be arrived at. Regarding bath soaps in 3,4, and 5 ounce cake 3, a big effort is being made by Australian manufacturers to secure the Dominion trade, and some attractive offers have been made which have resulted in considerable business being booker. Cream of Tartar.—Cable advi.'e has just been received that two of the leading English manufacturers have withdrawn their prices meantime, which points to higher prices for the future. Several merchants were able to cover for a portion of their requirements a day or two before the above withdrawal took place, as information that some move was being made was cabled to one of the local agents last week. The agents for one well known English manufacturer continue to offer at favourable rates, and some orders have been cabled for spread delivery, which at the moment still await confirmation. Acids.—Prices for English tartaric and citric acid have also been withdrawn meantime, although some business has been accepted by London principals for Italian, for spread shipment up to June. Further information on these markets is anxiously awaited. Saltpetre.—Quotations iust received for both English and Alsatian saltpetre are both about £1 per ton higher than last year, with only a fair inquiry at this end. Spices.—Peppers continue to fluctuate week by week, with present offers slightly higher than those ruling a few weeks ago. The absence of reliable information tends to make buyers act with great caution in covering for their requirements, as there seems room for a substantial reduction. So far the bookings for the next direct steamer, sailing March-April, have been light, but the Sussex brought some good-sized parcels, which should keep the trade supplied for some months. Nutmegs are slightly higher than was the case in December last, whilst mace, which was not quoted by Singapore agents for some weeks, is now being offered at a sharp advance on previous rates. Mutton Birds.—Although tho demand for Tasmanian birds in casks was fairly steady last year, there are still stocks on hand with several merchants, nut it is expected that these will be all sold before the new pack arrives about the end of April. Prices are not yet definitely named, but indications point to them being the same, or possibly even higher, than last year. From advices received by agents, it was stated that the bird-catchers in Tasmania were endeavouring to form an association to obtain higher rates, so that it is possible that an Increase of 2s 6d a 100 will be demanded. Lentils.—The demand for lentils is seasonable, and sales at resent are limited. Prices for shipment by the March-April direct steamer from Calcutta for A grade Indian split show a decline of 20s a ton on last year’s offerings, and merchants are booking their requirements at these favourable rates. Cloves.—Stocks on hand are very light at’present, but a shipment which is due from Zanzibar shortly will relieve the position. The market is still easier for prompt and forward shipment, but these rates will not affect this season’s selling prices, as stocks at the lower rates could not be landed for several months, and the demand should set in next month. Rice.—Good stocks of Rangoon and Australian dressed are held locally, with demand fair. A shipment of a longgrain Mexican rice from California has just arrived, and as the sample shows excellent value, it is meeting with a ready sale. Tea.—At the sale in Colombo last week there was a good general demand, with quality improving. The lower grades were easier in price, but a strong demand from Russia and other parts for the better grades saw the disposal of a huge quantity, with closing quotations firm. There will be a smaller sale this week. Brazil Nuts.—The prices named so far for new-season crop are slightly higher than last year’s opening rates, but several buyers have already placed orders for a portion of their requirements. Some London shippers advise that the market is expected to decline considerably during the next week or two, and advise buyers to hold off meantime. The crop is reported to be well up to the average. Californian Fruits.—Since our last report prunes have again firmed, while some packers have withdrawn the small sizes meantime. Both soda and oildipped raisins show weakness in price, some offers sent up from here, being accepted at very low rates for fruit of excellent quality. The rules of the Californian Dried Fruits Export Association make it compulsory to all members to have all export shipments to Europe inspected by the Dried Fruit Association, and to attach association quality certificates to their documents. These rules are rigidly enforced on European business, and it is anticipated a move will be made to enforce these regulations to apply also to the importations into New Zealand, to the benefit of ail concerned.

BUTTER AND CHEESE OFFICIAL QUOTATIONS (Special to THE SUN.) WELLINGTON, To-day. The Dairy Produce Board has received the following market report from its London office dated January 22: > BUTTER New Zealand.—Baited, 151 s to 1545; unsalted, 156 s to 160 s. The market is quiet, but fair sales are made at the lower prices. Deliveries of New Zealand butter last week amounted to 1,840 tons, leaving 3,560 tons in store. Australian. —Finest, salted, 148 s to 1525; unsalted, 150 s to 1545. Argentine.—Finest, unsalted, 144 sto 148 s; exceptional, 150 s. Danish.—l72s to 1745, on spot; 165 s f.o.b. Dutch.—Creamery, unsalted, 184 s to 186 s. Retail prices unchanged. CHEESE ' New Zealand.—White and coloured, 90s and 91s; exceptional, white, 925. Canadian.—Finest, white, 100 s to -104 s; coloured, 98s to 102 s. Australian.—Finest, coloured, 86s to 90s. The market is quiet with English finest farmers' making 126 s to 130 s. Retail prices are unchanged. NORTH AMERICAN MARKET The board’s agents in Canada report as follows: San Francisco extras, 46 cents (Is lid); the Vancouver market for New Zealand finest is 371 cents (is 6Sd) and for Australian first grades 361 cents (Is 61d). BUTTERFAT PAYOUTS * Advance payments for the December output have been made by Northern companies as follows: Waipu Dairy Company.— £4,635 8s Bd, at the rate of Is 2*d a lb for superfine butterfat, Is 2d for first grade, and Is for second grade. Kaipara Dairy Company.— £23,287 18s sd, at the rate of Is 3d a lb for superfine butterfat. Kaitara Dairy Company.'—£l4,s77, at the rate of Is 3jd a lb for finest grade. WOOL SALES IN SYDNEY By Cable.—Press Association. — Copyright. SYDNEY, Monday. At the wool sales a spirited market ruled, with prices equal to the best of last week’s rates for all descriptions and good clearances were effected. Greasy Merino sold at 38d. —A. and N.Z. CHICAGO WHEAT By Cable. —Press Association. — Copyright. Reed. 9.5 a.m. CHICAGO, Monday. Wheat.—March, 1 dollar 30. 5-8 cents; May, 1 dollar 311 cents; Jul, 1 dollar 27 3-8 cents a bushel.—A. and N.Z.