THE POTATO MARKET.
PRICES AND PROSPECTS,
The requirements of Australia have been a heavy drain on the best of the New Zealand potato supplies of late, and this fact, added to the check the new season’s crops. have received through the wet and unseasonable weather experienced recently, has forced up prices to such an extent that many a householder has been compelled to scan his potato bill with unaccustomed interest.
In conversation with the manager of a local produce firm a representative of the Dominion was informed that the present price of potatoes was £8 per toifi as against £3 10s to £4 per ton at this time last year.' The crop this year was a very heavy one, and had it not been for the exceptional export trade in Australia, prices locally would have been very low indeed. The export trade saved the situation, but the backwash came on to the New Zealand consumer, as oniy the very best quality tubers could be exported, and consequently the second and lower-grade potatoes had to be sold in New Zealand. However, prices in Australia had now declined, so that the -export outlook was not as favourable as it had been, and it might be reasonable to assume that with the new crop coming in the Australian price would be below exportable limit. According to the latest advices, Auckland crops are looking well, and should be on the market well up to time this year. “Our information,” said the merchant in question, “ tells us that there is still a dangerously large quantity of potatoes held by growers in the South Island, and it will be difficult for them to find a profitable market before the next crop comes in and reaches a price at which it will be preferred to the old potatoes.” The present price for new potatoes is 30s per cwt., but a week or so is expected to see something like 15s per cwt., ruling. Incidentally the merchant remarked that the demand for seed potatoes locally had been very poor this season —probably on account of the wretched weather.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAIPO19121011.2.19.3
Bibliographic details
Waipa Post, Volume IV, Issue 153, 11 October 1912, Page 4
Word Count
350THE POTATO MARKET. Waipa Post, Volume IV, Issue 153, 11 October 1912, Page 4
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