POTATO MARKET FIRM

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 732, 3 August 1929, Page 10

POTATO MARKET FIRM

CANTERBURY MARKETS CHRISTCHURCH, Friday. The potato market has not altered since the mid-week. The Waipiata’s heavy shipment yesterday was responsible for a subsequent lack of inquiry. Prompts were sold yesterday in an odd | case or two at £lO 15s, and this morning at £7 17s 6d. August-September deliveries were ranging at £7 17s 6d and £B, but this afternoon there was some revival of inquiry from the North, and business was being done at the higher figure. Prices to farmers range at £6 12s 6d to £6 15s. The Waipiata took 6,600 sacks from Timaru and 3,905 (including some seed) from Lyttelton. This full cargo was Something of a surprise to a section of traders, who anticipated that the impending deliveries, on account of the wet weather, and also the general scarcity, would result in short arrivals for the boat. However, it is understood that all potatoes called for came to hand. The Kurow is booked to leave at the middle of next week. Between 800 and 900 sacks are being shipped to Sydney early in the week by the Karetu, these being for ships’ stoves. The wheat pool price has been advanced in accordance with the monthly increase consequent on storage costs, and Tuscan is now quoted by the pool at 6s 4d, f.o.b. There is very little non-pool wheat about, but at the moment there is little inquiry. Pool wheat was sold before the end of last month at 6s 3d, f.0.b., sacks extra. The nominal price of free wheat to farmers on trucks is 5s 9d a bushel. The market is firm, the hai’denings abroad having an indirect influence in this respect. Fowl wheat has firmed d.uring the week, being quoted at 5s Sid to 5s 9d, f.0.b., for prompt. Oats are also a shade better, although little business is being done. A grade Gartons are worth 3s sd, f.0.b., s.i., and B grade 3s 3d to 3s sd. Chaff remains unaltered at £G 2s 6d, f.0.b., s.i., or to £4 5s on trucks.