THE MARKETS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19840, 14 May 1927, Page 9

THE MARKETS

GENERAL MERCHANDISE BUSINESS DURING THE WEEK Only moderate business has been gone through during the week in Wanganui, but a fairly steady demand in most lines is maintained. The various grain lines mostly show improvement. Coffee Beans. Suppliers of both Mysore and Nilghire coffee beans have cabled a slight reduction in prices. This week marks the close of the season so far as business from Indian ports is concerned. Castor Sugar. Up to a few weeks ago the Colonial Sugar Co., had been supplying the trade with castor sugar in two packings—2B lb. and 701 b. bags. They now advise that the 281 b. packing has been discontinued and in future only the larger sizo will be sold. Pepper. The cabled advice that pepper stocks in Singapore were short and also the further advance in prices came somewhat as a surprise. This market has been ruling at a high level for quite a while and it was not anticipated that prices would further advance but quotations would remain steady until the new crop was brought in. Dried Apricots. Dried apricots are selling unusually well this year, even the cheapest grades being noticeable for exceptional fleshiness and brightness of colour. Sultanas and Currants. In. some centres a shortage of Australian sultanas and currants is reported . In consequence of this shortage some urgent business has been done for prompt shipment via Sydney, which will slightly increase landed costs, as buyers are having to pay the extra shipping costs. Preserved Ginger. At slight advances on rates about the beginning of the month, some quotations for Chinese preserved ginger have been listed. This week a special offer was cabled on a parcel for prompt shipment from Hongkong, which, on comparison with the previous price, showed a reduction of 4d per lb. Date. Tentative prices have been named, on new season’s dates, which represent an advance on bulk on indent rates. These prices are purely speculative, and it is considered too early yet to operate or ascertain the possibilities of the market.

Sicily Almonds. During the last few weeks a considerable amount of forward business has been done on new season’s Sicily almonds, owing to quotations being particularly attractive to the buyer. Most of this business has been done for first shipment, in the hope of getting stocks to land here before Christmas, but to get deliveries completed in time for the Christmas trade is extremely problematical. Tapioca and Sago. These commodities continue to remain firm and, although some good business was offered by Singapore shippers last week for the July-August direct steamer at prices a little below the week’s cabled quotations, this business was declined and the market has since advanced to higher levels.