Grain, Seeds, Produce Australia Takes Small Shipment Of Potatoes

Press, Volume C, Issue 29506, 6 May 1961, Page 15

Grain, Seeds, Produce Australia Takes Small Shipment Of Potatoes

One of the main points of interest this week to merchants was the shipment of 130 tons of potatoes loaded yesterday for Sydney. Though the potatoes are to be processed, as were the 800 tons shipped earlier from the North Island, they are the first to be exported locally for some time. Although 130 tons is not a large quantity in relation to the expected surplus this year, considerable trouble has been gone to in preparing the line. A few tons have been washed and the remainder are top quality store-graded potatoes. All have been packed in attractive. well-branded, new sacks According to reports, merchants say that some of the North Island potatoes did not arrive in good condition in Sydney and were shipped in ordinary bags. The aim locally has been to make this shipment an advertisement for South Island potatoes. It is believed that most Sydney wholesalers will see the consignment -when it arrives at the markets. The biggest barrier to potato imports for domestic consumption in Australia is the quarantine regulations, which forbid imports of soil bearing prduce. Christchurch merchants are keeping in touch with the Sydney market and every effort is being made to stimulate interest. The main demand on the New South Wales markets is expected to have its effect by the end of next month or mid-July Tasmanian crops have been poor. Onions are also being loaded for Australia and several hundred tons have been exported so far from North and South Island merchants. About 150 tons are being shipped from Lyttelton at present. Keeping quality has been

a problem to onion merchants again this year and a number of lines have been rejected for export. Neck rot seems to be the most prevalent disease, although there is also some side rot and base rot reported. North Island buying of potatoes has not started yet and only a few small consignments which had been brought forward have been shipped. . Small Seeds Weaker There is little business in small seeds at present and merchants report that over the last fortnight only a few parcels of seed have been sold to Australian buyers at reduced rates. This has resulted in a generally weaker tone in quotations. It is hoped that Northern Hemisphere buyers will begin to show some interest by next month. Overseas reports indicate that merchants are clearing their retail stocks at a satisfactory rate. There is a good demand for seed wheat and merchants say that stocks are moving out of store well. Parts of North Canterbury could probably do with about an inch of rain but Mid-Canterbury soils are in good condition. The following prices were announced as a guide to growers by the president of the North Canterbury Grain. Seed and Produce Merchants' Association (Mr I. A. Baxter):— Ryegrass.—Mother perennial, 14s 6d a bushel: p.p. 14s: uncertified, 10s 6d; mother Hl, 18s: standard, 17s 6d; mother Italian, 18s; standard. 17s 6d. White Clover.—Mother 99/90, 3s Hd per pound; p.p. 3s lOd; mother 98/90, 3s lOd; p.p. 3s 9d. Cowgrass.—ls lOd per pound (nominal).