BREAKFAST TABLE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17178, 23 October 1923, Page 1

BREAKFAST TABLE.

RETAIL PRICE REVIEW. DEAR VEGETABLES. During the past week the retail prices of vegetables have advanced considerably, and prices to-day are much dearer than is usually the case at this time of the year. The increases are stated to be due to the recent spell of wet weather which hindered the growth of vegetables at a time when they were in keen demand, thus causing a shortage in supplies. Many lines appear to have practically doubled in price. | while a few have been reduced slightSpring cabbages are being retailed today at Is 3d each, and cauliflowers at Is 6d, Is 9d and 2s each. Carrots, parsnips, lettuces and spring onions are dearer. Carrots are selling at 3d a bundle, parsnips at 4d and lettuces at . • anf l 6d each. Beetroot continues to be sold at 2d a bundle, but spring onions are now 3d a bundle, and radishes 2d a bundle. Rhubard ,'s still plentiful, and is selling at 4d and bd a bundle, and spinach is plentiful but dear at 6d a bunch. Tvocallv-grown new potatoes, which appearance in the shops ago at Is fid a lb, and locally-groWn green peas, which were being sold at 5s fid a lb. are now practically unobtainable. Auckland new potatoes, however, are being retailed at 31b for Is, and Hutt Valley green peas at- Is fid a lb. Locallygrown cucumbers are selling at Is fid o lb. and local tomat-oes, at 5s a lb. Kumeras are priced at 3lb for Is fid, and pie melons at Is each. Regarding old potatoes, which are | still dear in Christchurch, the following | comment by an Auckland trade writer is of interest: ‘’Supplies of southern potatoes are more than are required for the present requirements of this market. and the result has been to cause prices to recede during the past week. Previous reports regarding a serious shortage of old potatoes in the South are now proved to be incorrect, and this was no doubt a market mc>ve to get Auckland buyers to order ahead at good prices. That potatoes are still plentiful in the south may be gathered from the fact that some lines have been i sent up on consignment. This has tended to disorganise the market in I Auckland. Old potatc.es will find sale I in Auckland for another two or three j weeks, and then the local new crop will be coming forward freely. At prej sent new potatoes aje selling at 3d per j lb retaiH j It is reported that the new Auckland crop of onions is making good pro- ' gross. Meanwhile the market is being supplied with Victorian and American onions, the latter,, though dearer, being of better quality. DEAR BANANAS. Although bananas are not quite as dear as three-pence each, the best varieties do not fall far short of that price. At one city shop the price varies from 5 to 16 a shilling, according to quality, the high price being due to the keenness of the demand. The last of the Cook Islands oranges are being sold at 4d and 5d each, but Sydney oranges, though smaller, are better ! value, at 3. 4 and 5 a shilling. South i Australian navel oranges are 5d each. | Apples continue to be reasonably priced. Stunners are selling at 31b a shilling. Delicious at 8d a lb. Democrat at 6d a lb, and Wolseley at 31b a shilling. Winter Cole dessert pears are being retailed at 6d a lb. Passion fruit are scarce, and dear at 5 a shilling. Good quality American grapes are reasonable at 2s a lb. Other fruit prices are :—Lemons 4 and 6 a shilling, grape fruit 8d each, cocoa nuts at fid and 8d GROCERY PRICES. Eggs are still plentiful and cheap, the market being well supplied and the demand good. Farmers’ eggs are being retailed at Is 2d a dozen, and first grade eggs at Is 4 cl a dozen, the same prices as last week. Bacon is slightly dearer. There have been no alterations in the retail prices of butter and cheese. A slight wholesale reduction is reported in one make of jam. A wholesale report states that an assorted shipment of apricots, peaches, pears and prunes recently arrived by direct steamer from South Africa tc Auckland. On examination the quality proved to be excellent, and in fact, is superior to competitive grades of American. Prices are lower, and. a* a re suit, stocks are rapidly distributed. Lower prices are expected for mos* varieties of American fruits. MEAT AND FISH. There was a short supply of mutton at the Addington Yards last week, and

in consequence values made a slight advance. On the other hand there was an over-supply of beef, and consequently lower quotations. It is considered that the advance in mutton prices and the decline in beef prices were only temporary, and that the market will shortly adjust itself. Meanwhile retail prices are unaltered, but the prospects are for cheaper and not dearer meat. V holesale rates for pork show a slight ulva.nco. and as a result, bacon prices iave been increased by a fienny a lb. Supplies of fresh fish are plentiful his week, and prices will probably, be nurh lower before the end of the week. Whitebait is being sold to-day at Is 9d i half-pound, groper at 10d and Is a b, cod fid and Bd. being 7d- and 9d. fcerokiki at 7d, and flounders and' soles 3.t Is.