GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 227, 25 September 1928, Page 4

GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

SHARP RISE IN POTATOES.

RATIONING ONION SUPPLIES.

WHEAT MAY ADVANCE

The chief feature of the week has been a sharp rise in the price of both potatoes and onions. A week ago potatoes were selling in Aucklanc at £8 15/ per ton, ex store; to-day the rate is £10, with prospects of further advances in the near future. A week ago the f.o.b. price Lyttelton, was £5 17/6 to £6, to-day it is £2 higher. Yesterday the quote was £7 5/ prompt delivery and £8 for October. A few orders from this centre were confirmed at the lower figure, whereupon the sellers dropped out. To-day the price is £8 for prompt and £8 5/ for October, and there is difficulty in obtaining confirmation of substantial quantities. Local merchants have undoubtedly been caught unawares, and are having to pay what is asked. No one seems to know even approximately the statistical position in the South, but it is becoming apparent that the bulk of the stocks held are in the hands of a few who are able to exert a controlling in-; fluence on the market. Fortunately, from the point of view of the local consumer, the position referred to will not be of long duration, as the early arrivals from Pukekohe will be available next month as an offset to any exorbitant demands from the South. Onions. Onions are definitely short on the spot, and prices have jumped sharply to 30/ per cwt crate for Californian or Canadian. The position is not likely to be substantially relieved in the near future. The Niagara, due on October 8, is bringing only 3200 cases, against 10,000 at the corresponding period last year. The Hauraki,is also bringing a small quantity from San Francisco. The fact of the matter is that local merchants, who had an unsatisfactory experience last year, have this time been caught short. Relying upon reports of abundant supplies in Canada they restricted their early orders to a portion of their estimated requirements. Meanwhile, both Californian and Canadian markets advanced sharply, the former so markedly that it is out of the question to import from that source. Attempts have been made to secure more Canadian even at higher prices, but it has been found impossible to obtain steamer space. At the present time some of the merchants are rationing supplies to the retailers. Victorian new season are now offering, but not for delivery till late November. Wheat. There is no change in the local wheat market, which is still steady at 7/6 per bushel. An advance may, however, be imminent as the Southern position is very firm, quotations having been increased 2d a bushel during the past week. The advance is not warranted by the statistical position, for there is an abundance of fowl wheat in the South. Maize. The maize market remains unaltered, the price ex store being 6/8 for Bay of Plenty and 6/8 for Gisborne. No supplies have come from Poverty Bay for some time. Oats ana Chaff. The market for oats remains quiet with no quotable alteration. The position in the South is one of extreme weakness, for there is no export outlet and stocks are very heavy. The Otago "Daily Times" says:—"The only demand has been for heavy oats, suitable for seed purposes, and ; although early in the season it looked as if very few seed oats would be sold, there has been an exceptionally strong demand during the past fortnight. This has left merchants short of stocks, and heavy Gartons are now difficult to obtain for this purpose. The present quotations for A Cartons are 3/11, f.0.b., s.i., and 3/5% for B grade. An odd sale has been made of the former to forward sellers, who have had to cover in order to complete their contracts. It is still noticeable that most of the deliveries of oats right throughout the season are still remaining in stores, and it is difficult to know where a market can be obtained for these." Chaff is still selling at £9 5/ per ton, ex store. Bran and Pollard. Both these lines are in ample supply from local mills, and values are unaltered. Fertilisers. The stormy weather conditions this last week have interfered to a certain extent with farming operations. In spite of this there has been a fair demand for high- ; grade super and basic super for spring topdressing and for special mixtures and other lines for early crop purposes. A spell of good settled weather is required to enable farmers to work their land, and this would also promote good growth of grass and other crops. It is essential that farmers who have not yet top-dressed for spring requirements do so as soon as possible so that they will get the benefit during the season. Local superphosphate manufacturers have stocks of high-grade super, basjc super and other manufactured lines ; to meet the season's demand, and there are ample stocks of raw material coming forward. In regard to other lines, the s.s. Ravenscar is at present discharging a consignment of Ephos basic phosphate, and the Olivebank is arriving at a later date with a cargo of Seychelles guano. Wholesale Current Prices. Sharps and Bran.—Mill prices: Sharps, £0 10/ per ton; bran, £8 per ton. Merchants' quotations, ex store: Pollard, £10 5/; bran, £8 10/; oate, feed, B Gartone, 4/7, A Gartous, 4/11 per buehel; clipped Dunne, 5/9; clipped Gartons, 5/6; seed Algerians, 6/; fowl wheat, 7/6 per buehel; maize, new season, 6/6, ex store; Gieborne, ' 6/8; barley, feed, 5/9 per bushel; Cape barley, seed, 6/6 per buehel; maize meal, 14/ per 1001b; barley meal, 13/ per 1001b. Chaff.—G.b.o.s., £9 5/ per ton, for Blenheim or Canterbury. Potatoes.—Canterbury, £10 per ton. Seed Lines.—Arran Chief, Northern Star and Gamekeeper, 7/6 per cwt; Early Puritan and Dates, 9/. Onions.—Californian, ex wharf, 30/ per cwt bag; Canadian, 30/ per crate. ; j