DUNEDIN FRUIT PRICES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 9, 11 January 1941, Page 10

DUNEDIN FRUIT PRICES

DROP FROM HIGH LEVEL

HEAT LN CENTRAL OTAGO. I Per Press Association, j DUNEDIN, Jan. 8. Fruit marts have shown a distinct change of atmosphere this week as compared with last week, when high prices were ruling for all varieties of stone fruit, and there was keen competition from retailers to secure supp!ms. Het weather has been experienced in Central Otago, and reports state that 101 degrees in the shade has been recorded. The result has been a rush of peaches to the market. A large proportion of this fruit was in ripe condition and it had to be sold as speedily as possible. To-day there was a crop in the prices of peaches of almost 50 per cent, as compared with those ruling last week, and some perfect quality peaches had to be placed at low rates to clear. The position is not so acute as regards apricots, as full supplies are not yet ready for the market. Crops of apricots in some districts are, however, on the light s'de. Where this fruit was in an overripe condition it had to be sold at low rates, but taking the position all round prices for apricots can be considered satisfactory to growers. Supplies of the early variety of peaches will be exhausted in a few days' time and a later variety are alteady appearing on the market. A few Moorpark apricots are now coming forward. This is a mid-season variety, and there will be no great quantity of apricots coming forward IVr at least a fortnight. The season fo- cherries is quickly drawing to a cios" and the demand has eased to some extent. Reports received to-day from Centre.! Otago state that the weather is considerably cooler and that it Is not expected that the present rush of stone fruit to the marts will be maintained.