POTATO PRICES EASE

Taranaki Daily News, 15 April 1935, Page 14

POTATO PRICES EASE

BIG SHIPMENTS TO AUCKLAND. MARKET FOR OATS UNCHANGED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, April 13. The easing in the potato market noticeable earlier in the week has developed, and yesterday values were about 16s per ton less than they were 10 days ago, both for prompt and) forward prompt. The position haS been affected by heavy consignments sent forward for the Omana, which left yesterday for Auckland. This vessel was scheduled to sail on. Wednesday with approximately 3000 sacks, but her delay until yesterday enabled another 2000 sacks to be sent forward. A shipment of this size at this period of the year is unusual, and as the Wingatui is sailing direct from Timaru with about 2000 sacks it means that early next week the Auckland market will receive approximately 7000 sacks.

Another vessel is due to sail early next week. Practically all Of the Omana’s shipment is carrying a grader’s certificate. In the meantime the Wellington market is being supplied from within the province. Under the weight of prompt offerings the market has eased, and business for the Omana was done at £5 10s f.o.bs.i. May-June delivery is on the same basis, and July-August-Sep-tember has slipped from £6 15s to £6 ss. Values on trucks at the moment are £4 a ton up to 2s 6d a ton more for near deliveries.

Onions are held very firmly, and although the price on trucks is mentioned at £ll a ton a higher figure has been paid for small lots during the week. There are very few Offerings from growers.

Tire oats market remains unchanged, but there is very little business doing. Duns for feed are very Scarce and are worth 3s a bushel on trucks. The northern price for this variety is quoted very high, to 5s 9d a bushel ex store. Fowl wheat, peas and chaff show no change, and there is very little inquiry. The North Island demand for fowl wheat is singularly quiet. The price is 4s 3d f.o.b.s.e. for free fowl wheat and 4s 4d for board wheat.

Samples of cowgrass are being offered from quarters thought to have had a very poor crop, and in addition offers of English seed of good quality have depressed prices. To-day best samples are worth 8d a pound to farmers. There is very little cocksfoot and ryegrass in farmers’ hands, and merchants are not much in the market for any that may be available. Akaroa cocksfoot is quoted up to lOd a pound on trucks, and plains to 9d. Ryegrass is worth up to 2s 9d a bushel on trucks. The autumn trade is over for small seeds and there is no inquiry at the moment from,- the north. J