SHARP DROP OCCURS IN PRICE OF EGGS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18468, 21 May 1928, Page 9

SHARP DROP OCCURS IN PRICE OF EGGS.

vegetables are still PLENTIFUL AND CHEAP. Since the beginning of last week there has been a sharp drop in the price of eggs. A week ago first-grade hen eggs were being retailed at 3s 4d a dozen, but to-day the price was down to 3s,* while second grade were selling at 2s 9d. It is stated that the supply of eggs has increased, due to the number of pullets “coming on to the lay," but the decline may be due partly to the fact that the demand became very limited when prices went above 3s a dozen. A grocer stated this morning that the decline in the price of eggs would probably prove of a temporary nature only. When the reallj’- cold weather tame on the supply might be expected to decrease again and prices to rise.

Vegetables and Fruit. The supply of vegetables is keeping up very well, and prices for most lines are reasonable. Lately there has been a rather sharp rise in "the price of goodquality onions. At this time of the year the quality of Canterbury-grown onions generally begins to go off, and good keeping sorts are hard to obtain. Onions can still be obtained at the rate of 81b for Is, but these are not of the best quality. The really best onions are 6lb and 41b for Is. Potatoes are still plentiful, but it is quite possible that there will be a shortage later on in the year, owing to the fact that larger quantities than usual have been sent to the North Island this season. Further, many of the crops are turning out much lighter than was expected, and blight has done a certain amount of damage. Cabbages are selling at 3d, 4d and 6d each, cauliflowers at 4d and Gd each, lettuces from 2d each, marrows from 3d each, kumeras 31b for Is, potatoes 101 b for Is, celery from 3d a bunch, white turnips, carrots and beetroot 2d a bunch.

Bananas are still very scarce in Christchurch, and prices are high. Only six good bananas can be obtained for Is. A small shipment of Fiji bananas arrived in Christchurch last week, and they were snapped up eagerly. Oranges are also on the short side. They are being retailed at 3 and 4 for Is. Lemons cost 4 and 5 for Is, dessert apples 4d apd 6d a lb. cooking apples 3d a lb and 51b for Is, pears 4d and 6d a lb, grapes 2s 6d a lb, tomatoes from 6d a lb. The supply of tomatoes is now getting short. Fish. Supplies of fresh fish were plentiful to-day, and generally prices were reasonable. Following are some prices a lb for fresh fish:—Groper lOd (in the piece), Is (cutlets), ling 4d, cod 4d and 6d, trevalli 4d and Bd, terakihi 6d and 9d, gurnet 6d and lOd, soles Is and flounders lOd. There were good supplies of smoked fish, oysters and crayfish available at-standard prices.