GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 225, 22 September 1928, Page 4

GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

CANTERBURY MARKETS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, Friday

Since the mid-week report there has been a period of slackness in market circles, and prices for all lines except potatoes show no change. Prices for potatoes, however, have been owing to two main causes. In the first instance, there is an undoubted shortage, orders having been received not only from Auckland, which is always the principal source, but also from outside places, such as Napier and Gisborne, while Wellington has also been looking for supplies. In some instances over-sellers have been actively looking round for potatoes in order to cover themselves. Consequently the value of potatoes is higher at present than it has been for some time. While it is a fact that some districts have got rid of all that they had, in others there is a fair quantity still to be disposed of. Those farmers who are holding, however, are inclined to ask as high a figure as they can get. The Wingatui, which sailed earlier in the week for the north, took about 2000 Backs from Lyttelton, in addition to which she had on board about 1800 sacks from Timaru. It is not expected that the Waipiata, which will probably leave on Monday, will take many potatoes with her, and only a small lot was shipped by the Kaitangata, which sailed last evening. The price to farmers on trucks at country stations is £5 15/, but as much as £6 was paid in at least one instance this week.