COMMERCIAL

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19308, 8 October 1932, Page 17

COMMERCIAL

CHEISTCHukcH MARKET REPORT POTATO SEASON PRACTICALLY OVER. By Telegraph—Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, October 7. The potato season is practically over as far as speculation business is concerned.and operations are now confined to orders and consignments. The market remains firm locally at £5 5s f.0.b., s.i., for whites, but there is little inquiry from uckland. The Waipiata left Lyttelton last night with 870 sacks from Timaru and 1400 from Lyttelton. The Bluff cargo is reported to be between 2000 arid 3000 sacks. Quotations to farmers are £5 to £5 5s for whites and to £5 10s for Dakotas. Although there are potatoes still in store, there has been a good clean up in the country, and there are not many how in farmers’ hands. ■ Fowl wheat has been sold at Lytteiton at 5/1 per bushel. Oats and chaff are not inquired for, and the small seeds market is lifeless. OTAGO GRAIN AND PRODUCE MARKETS. MILLING WHEAT AT STANDSTILL, By Telegraph—Press Association. DUNEDIN, October 7. The milling wheat market is lifeless so far as this poi -p is concerned and the chief topic of conversation, especially amongst farmers is the prospect for prices for the coming season. Practically no sales of milling wheat are going through at the fixed prices, namely 4/106 f.o.b. for Tuscan. 5/0i for Hunters, and 5/2£ for Velvet. There is not much milling wheat now to be marketed. The trade in fowl wheat in the local market is slack. Stocks of good whole lines are not heavy, but on the other hand the consumptive demand locally is very poor. Undergrade is in over supply. Local quotations are 4 6 to 4/9 per bushel, sacks extra, ex store. Undergrade is selling at a good deal below these prices and in a number of cases the lines are changing hands at round about 4 -. The oat market continues to drag, and it has a weaker tendency. Grade oats are now quoted at 3/6 f.0.b.5.i., for A’s. and 3/1 to 3/2 for B's. The bulk of stocks held here comprise undergrade lines, which are almost impossible to sell at round about 2/3, sacks extra, ex store. The foregoing prices work out at 2/9 sacks extra, on trucks, country sidings for A s, 2/4 for B’s, and 2/- for undergrade. With dry weather being experienced, buyers of oats for delivery next season, have appeared on the market, and sales have been made at low prices, namely on the basis of 2/8 to 2/9 f.o.b.s.i. for delivery April-September. Business in chaff continues to be very disappointing as only a few feeders want chaff in any quantity, and sales are hard to effect. Truck loads are worth £4/10/- per ton, but the greater part of sales going through is confined to small lots ex the store at £4/15/- to £5 per ton. Undergrade is still hard to sell and the market value of this quality is £4 per ton ex store. Odd consignments of potatoes are still arriving from the country and these are sufficient to meet the demand. Practically the only inquiry is for sound lots, and these are selling at £5/15/per ton. sacks included, ex store. Shipping business from this port is finished for the season as the consignments to come in will be required for the local demand. Fairly heavy shipments have been landed in Auckland and the market has eased there. Quotations for Canterbury ports rule about £6/10/- per ton f.o.b.s.i. ter prompt delivery. but the prices being realised in Auckland ter consignments from the south are about £1 per ton below this figure. Dry weather right throughout the South Island has had a quietening effect on the seed markets. The amount of sowing out is much smaller than usual, with the result that there is little movement in the wholesale prices. Fruit Report. Supplies of apples are not over-plen-tiful and the market remains unchanged. Bananas, ex the Maui Pomare, arrived in Dunedin on Tuesday afternoon. The fruit was in splendid condition, and was readily taken up by the retailers. The quota ter Dunedin was 850 cases and prices ranged from 18'- to 18/6 per case. A small lot of Fijian bananas is expected on the market next week. A line of choice Island-grown tomatoes trans-shipped ex the Waikawa at Auckland, reached the market to-day. Christchurch-grown hothouse tomatoes are now appearing on the market, and prices are low for this time of the year. A small lot of Californian grapes is expected on the market to-day. Pears are still arriving from Canterbury cool stores. The Waikouaiti arrived from Sydney during the week and brought a large shipment of Valencia oranges and small lots of mandarins, pines, passions and cucumbers. The Wainui, which is expected from Melbourne on Tuesday

week will land another shipment of Australian grown navel oranges. The previous shipment ex this vessel, has now been sold out of the marts. New Zealand grown lemons are in better supply, and the market is easier.