Grocery Review

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 662, 14 May 1929, Page 10

Grocery Review

The Sun Office, May 14, 1929. The wholesale grocery merchants report that trade continues to be fairly good, the improvement in town and suburban business being maintained. Merchants are still concerned regarding shipments of Eastern goods by the Sussex, as both Press and private reports of the damaged cargo have been rather conflicting.

RATHfeR than risk a shortage of supplies, further business has been booked in tapiocas, pineapples and pepper for immediate shipment via Australia. Both haricot beans and lentils are now in very short supply locally, but stocks will be replenished on the arrival of Uje Sussex. South African evaporated peaches (which have just landed) are being offered to the trade at prices about lid a lb above last year’s ruling rates. SARDINES

Quotations have just been named for King Oscar smoked brisling, these being practically on a par with prices ruling two years ago. Last season, qwing to the failure of the fishing in Norway, no supplies of this brand were available for the New Zealand market, and orders this year can only be booked subject to pack SALMON

This is l'eally the off season for salmon of all grades, but stocks held locally are reported to be low, particularly in sockeye quality. Most packers in Vancouver have been sold out of supplies for some time, but one well-known packer can still offer limited quantities of Chums, while a small quantity of Pinks is still available from another source at prices previously quoted for prompt shipment. ALMONDS

After advancing sharply for a few weeks, prices for both present and new crop Sicily almonds have now been reduced by £4 10s a ton for prompt and September shipments. The market for this grade of almonds is very hard to follow, as every season prices fluctuate more than any other line connected with the grocery trade. New season’s Jordan almonds are now steadily advancing. a further increase of £2 10s being advised last week, with higher prices probable. Information from London is to the effect that the crop in Spain is expected to be much below last year, and prices would not have been so favourable during the past six weeks, but for the fact that quotations for Sicily almonds were so low. WALNUTS

Reports to hand from France state that supplies of walnut meats are being' rapidly depleted and prices have advanced accordingly. Considerable business has been placed for both halves and pieces of yellow quality, for shipment during May, as this is the last month that these goods can be insured against grub and mildew EASTERN GOODS

Singapore canned pineapples remain unchanged at last ruling rates, but considerable business has already been placed for shipment by the August direct steamer, as this is the shipment required for next summer's trade. Tapiocas remain on a steady basis, but. prices for nutmegs and mace are slightly easier. Quotations for Singapore white pepper were advanced id a lb last week, and the market remains firm. The new crop supplies are expected to reach distributing points about July-August, when prices should be much easier. FRUITS Further information regarding the damage by frost to fruit crops in California is not reassuring, and it would appear that when quotations are named for the 1929 crop these will be very much higher than last year. In the Santa Clara Valley, the most important prune district, it is particularly difficult to estimate the damage, but present advices would indicate a loss of 15 pei* cent, to 20 per cent. In Northern California the situation appears much more serious and in such important districts as Healdsburg and Yuba City the damage is estimated at 75 per cent., while other districts estimate their loss so far fi-or h 25 per cent, to 40 per cent. Prices for thG limited supplies of the present crop of prunes remain very firm, and a strong local demand is in evidence, particularly for the larger sizes. As regards apricots, the early northern districts report as much as 75 per cent, damage, while the earliest southern districts 60 per cent, damage. In the Santa Clara Valley and several other sections in the far south the loss is at present estimated at about 25 per cent.. The greatest damage was done to Cling peaches, which ace almost exclusively used for canning purposes. Pears appear to have been damaged to the extent of about 25 per cent, to 35 per cent., while there has. not been much damage to apples by frost.

RAISINS No damage has been reported to Californian muscatels and sultanas so far, but Thompson’s seedless raisins, which now constitute by far the largest part of the raisin production in California, are reported to be damaged about 20 per cent, in the Fresno district and about 35 per cent, in other places. The crop forecast of Thompson’s raisins for 3 929. was not originally a heavy one, consequently it is now estimated that supplies will be well below those of last season. COPPER AND BRASS As previously reported, the market for copper and brass rose to a very high level, but the inevitable reaction has set in, and prices today are much more favourable. Quotations this week are approximately £23 a ton lower than the peak prices for last month. This news will be very welcome as copper and brass have their effect in so many manufactured articles. RESIN Cables this week from shippers of American resin -indicate a slightly firmer market for G grade, while N grade remains unchanged. JUTE Calcutta advices just to hand by mail advise a very weak market l’or jute, and prices show a further setback, most holders having come out as keen sellers. Rain had fallen in the growing districts, making conditions for the new crop ideal and sowings were going on steadily. Latest cabled prices are at a. very favourable level, and local buying is being done for shipment as far forward as July-August, 1930, it being considered very improbable that prices can remain for very long. CHICAGO WHEAT MARKET (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) Reed. 9.5 a.m. CHICAGO. Monday. Wheat.—May, 1 dollar. 4i cents a bushel; July, 1 dollar 8 3-8 cents; September, 1 dollar 12 3-8 cents; December, 1 dollar 17 1-S cents.