TRADE IN PRODUCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 689, 14 June 1929, Page 10

TRADE IN PRODUCE

POTATOES WELL SUPPLIED FIRMER TONE IN SOUTH The Sun Office, 9 a.m. Spot stocks of most lines of grain, sec;d and produce are sufficient for immediate requirements, and prices for most lines show little change on last week’s rates. 1 4MPLE stocks of potatoes are held on the spot, comparatively heavy supplies having come to hand during the early part of the week. Holders are not feeding any alarm, however, as following on a substantial retail demand the market should be quite ready to absorb further supplies by the time the next Southern shipment comes to hand about the middle of next week. Spot quotations through merchants’ store remain unaltered at from £ 8 to £ S 10s a ton for small parcels. The Southern market has registered a firmer tone over the past few days, but it is not anticipated that there will be any big advance in prices in the near future. Increasing orders are being received for seed potatoes, but business to date lias been negligible. Merchants are bringing forward regular consignments of the most sought-after varieties. Onion Market Dull The outlook for onions shows little change. Spot requirements are still being met by supplies from Canterbury. but the quality is showing a decided falling-off. There is a limited inquiry from Sydney, arid it is reported that a few small parcels have been sold for shipment today. The price does now allow a very wide margin for profit. Indications are that the end of the Canterbury crop is in sight, and that the remainder of the Pukekohe crop will be drawn on within the next week or so. Estimates as to exactly how many Onions are held in the Pukekohe district vary. .While it is held in some quarters that there are only a few odd parcels, sufficient to carry the market on until the arrival of the Japanese onions early in July, in others it is contended that inquiries have elicited the information that small parcels held all round the district will make up quite an appreciable supply when they are drawn out. At the moment Canterbury onions are realising up to £9 a ton through store. The oat market continues very firm in the South, but rather lifeless on the spot. The Southern price warrants 4s 6d through store Auckland for B Gartons and 4s 9d for A’s. Ample Stocks of Chaff Heavy supplies of Southern chaff came to hand over the week. An appreciable percentage of the shipment was of rather indifferent quality. Spot quotations remain practically unaltered, merchants asking up to £9 10s a ton through store. Ample stocks of bran and pollard are held on the spot, but indications are that pollard will be selling at higher rates in the near future, as the increased Australian price will no doubt be registered on the quotations covering the next shipment. At the moment merchants ask 10s Od through store for pollard, and 8s 6d a ewt. for bran. Little life is shown in the wheat market, and spot quotations Lire unchanged. merchants asking around 7s 7d through store. Maize is receiving little attention at the moment. Most merchants are holding supplies of the old season’s cereal, and can carry on until the arrival of the new maize. There is a steady retail demand at from 7s 3d to 7s 6d a bushel. Trading in manures is at a comparatively low ebb at the moment, but forward bookings have already commenced for spring and even autumn deliveries; the forward commitments are chiefly for imported manures. Produce Boat Movements The Kaimanawa, which brought Southern produce to this port during the week, left last evening. The vessel is due back in Auckland again in about a fortnight. The Waipiata left the Bluff on Wednesday, and via Dunedin, Lyttelton, is due in Auckland on Wednesday next.