PRODUCE OF CANTERBURY

Taranaki Daily News, 17 January 1931, Page 5

PRODUCE OF CANTERBURY

LITTLE ACTIVITY IN MARKET.

EXCESS OF COCKSFOOT EXPECTED

By Telegraph.—Press Association.

Christchurch, Last Night.

Despite the fact that the reason has been a good one for harvesting operations there is little activity in the grain and produce market. There seems to be no inclination to accept the nominal value of the present as a basis for forward business.

Algerian oats have appeared on the market and are offering fairly freely at present. The quality of the samples is fair. The quotation to-day is 2is to 2s 3d on trucks according to quality. -The quotation for chaff is £5 a ton f.o.b. sacks in at Lyttelton for April-May-June delivery, which is equivalent to about £3 10s a ton on trucks to farmers.

There is . little activity in potatoes, which are quoted at ‘£4 2s 6d a ton f.o.b. sacks in with the growers showing a little inclination .to adopt the merchants’ attitude of “wait and- see.” That quotation is for April-May-June delivery and is equivalent to about £3 a ton on trucks to growers. Tuscan is quoted at 5s 9d f.o.b. at Lyttelton for forward business. The equivalent value to farmers on trucks is about 5s 5d to 5s 6d. Fowl wheat for forward delivery is being sought at 5s 2d f.o.b. sacks extra for either March-September or March-December; There is little business being done. One or two samples of Italian rye have appeared on the market but they are off the lighter land and the seed is light in weight. The reports from the growers, however, are to the effect that the crops have been good both for Italian and perennial, the seed being bright and of good average quality. It is re; ported that the Italian crop in South Canterbury has been especially good. It is still too early to give more than the nominal value for the crop, which is 3s to 3s 6d for perennial and 2s 6d to 3s for Italian.

Cutting of cocksfoot is fairly general on the plains and the indications are for a good crop. Experts consider it is certain there will be a surplus, perhaps a large on-, of cocksfoot in the country this season. There have been one or two lines of old season’s carry-over Akaroa sold on the basis of 5d to 6d on trucks according to quality, and merchants’ do not anticipate that any of the hew crops will bring above this figure. Until three weeks ago it was probable the white clover crops were going to be good, but since then they have aone off and the earlier promise may not materialise. The crop is sure to be a fair one and it will reach a clear market. Last season’s crop was practically cleared and there is a very small carry-over. The nominal quotation for white clover is 7d to Sd on trucks. There has been a heavy carry-over of cowgrass and the market is not anticipated to open at above 4d per pound on trucks.