TRADE IN PRODUCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 985, 30 May 1930, Page 13

TRADE IN PRODUCE

HEAVY POTATO STOCKS PRICES ON LOW LEVELS Sun Office, 9 a.in. A glut in the market for potatoes has been one of the principal features in grain, seed and produce circles over 'the week. The spot market at the moment is heavily stocked with potatoes. Apart from f.o.b. sales, South Island merchants have been sending consignment lots to the Auckland market very freely over the past few weeks, and a big percentage of ungraded tubers has been included in arrivals ever the past week or so. The result has been a big variation in price, and sales have been made down as low as £5 2s 6d on the wharf; the nominal through store price ranges from £ 6 5s to £7 a’ton. The position is accentuated slightly by the fact that vegetables are plentiful in Auckland at the moment, and the people are not eating as many potatoes as in a normal year. The market in the South is a shade firmer, especially for June delivery, hut whether there will be any marked improvement in prices over the next week or so it is hard to say. The onion market is at last showing signs of moving to higher and more profitable levels. Holders are now asking bigger money, and the general through store, Auckland, quotation has been raised 10s to £5 10s a ton,* and there is every likelihood of further periodical advances as the season develops. Wheat Market Very Firm The wheat market in the South has advanced a further penny during the week; the pool has the position well in hand, and will no doubt put Id on to the f.o.b. price right through the season until the protection limit of (Is 6cl is reached; at the moment the price is firm at 6s f.o.b. South Island ports. Through store, Auckland, merchants are now asking around 7s lid a bushel. Maize Stocks Shorter Stocks of Java maize are now dropping to comparatively low levels, and merchants are paying more attention to the balance of the old season’s crop left over in Gisborne. Java maize still sells at 6s 9d a bushel through store, Auckland, but indications are that slightly higher money will be asked for the balance of the Poverty Bay grain which will be reqLiired to keep the market going until the arrival of the new season’s crop. Nothing definite has been heard yet as to when the first of the new maize Avill be ready for the market, but a number of quotations have been put out during the past week or so offering maize for August to October delivery at from 5s 3d to 5s 5d a bushel f.o.b. or f.o.r. Very little actual business has been reported. Tasmanian Chaff Bookings In common with the market for other cereals, the market for oats is very firm; B Gartons are quoted through Auckland stores at 4s lid, A’s at 5s a bushel. Southern chaff is selling through Auckland stores at the moment at £lO 10s a ton. A fairly substantial shipment is due on Monday from Tasmania, and this has been selling to arrive at from £9 10s to £lO a ton, according to the grade of the bags. Further shipments have been hooked to arrive during June, July, August and September. The price for later deliveries shows a slight advance on present rates, but, even so, compares very favourably with South .Island quotations. Ample Stocks of Bran Ample stocks of bran are held on the spot, and the general through store price is unchanged at 8s 9d a cwt. Stocks of pollard are low, but the position will be relieved by the arrival of an Australian shipment on Monday next. The Australian shipment will sell around 10s 6d a cwt.