POTATO MARKET DEAD

Taranaki Daily News, 30 October 1935, Page 4

POTATO MARKET DEAD

NO BUYERS FOR OLD CROP.

NEW TUBERS FREELY OFFERED.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night.

The potato market has been dead for a fortnight, and in spite of repeated Auckland forecasts of a good market in the north until well on into November northern buyers appear to be completely out of the market. Those interested are now inclined to believe that the trade is finished for the year. Auckland values have shown a fall to a point equivalent to about £7 10s a ton on trucks in Canterbury, but at present it is impossible to find a buyer locally even at this price. Merchants will not now handle potatoes at any price. About 2700 sacks went to the North Island last week, the bulk of them on consignment, and even this small quantity was apparently sufficient, with stocks in hand. Pukekohe new crop potatoes were quoted last week at 24s a hundredweight at Pukekohe, and very little business was done at that price. New potatoes from Canterbury, Nelson and Auckland are becoming relatively plentiful on the Canterbury market, and retailers show only restricted interest in offerings of old potatoes. Other markets are quiet, though it Is expected that following the good rains of last week and the week-end the normal demand for seeds will develop.