FRUIT AND PRODUCE

Evening Star, Issue 22454, 26 September 1936, Page 9

FRUIT AND PRODUCE

Messrs Bray Bros. Ltd. report as follows for the week ending to-day:— Now and again a line of milling quality wheat comes on the market, and where it is up to the required standard there is no difficulty in placing it, as a few millers have not yet secured their full requirements. The fowl wheat market remains firm, and it is anticipated that higher values will be ruling from now onwards. This anticipation is based on the fact that next season’s crops are expected to be below New Zealand’s requirements, and that importations of wheat will be ruling at high values. The present value of fowl wheat is 4s 9d to 4s lOd per bushel, sacks extra, ex truck, and up to 5s ex store is being asked for good quality. Thereis, however, not a great deal of this wheat available. Millers’ prices are as follows: Flour—2oo’s, £l3 12s; 100’s, £l4 12s 6d; 50’s, £l4 17s 6d; 25’s, £ls 7s 6d. Bran, £5 5s per ton. Pollard, £6 5s per ton. Oatmeal—2oolb sacks, £l9; 25’s, £2l. The oat market is unaltered, with A Cartons worth 3s 4d to 3s sd, f.0.b., s.i. There are few inquiries from the North Island, and only small lots are being shipped to that quarter. Only an occasional offer is being submitted from the country. Supplies of chaff are equal to the demand, and the market has, if anything, a weaker tendency, as prices in Canterbury aro lower than were being quoted earlier. It is expected that with the spring work coming on farmers will not be inclined to cut chaff, and that it will be more difficult to secure supplies. In the meantime chaff is being secured from Canterbury and the surrounding districts. Best quality is worth £4 10s per ton, sacks extra, ex truck, and for lots ex the stores the quotation is £5. Inquiries for shipments of potatoes to the North Island were being received at this port, but during the past few days the demand has fallen off. Freshly picked lines have been, sold at £5 per

ton, sacks included. There is, however, a fair quantity of potatoes held in the stores, but these require picking over before they can be sold. The seed markets are quiet, but firm. There has been an absence of export business during the past two or three weeks, but merchants consider that during October and November there will be an inquiry from overseas for ryegrass, cowgrass, and white clover. A considerably-increased area is being sown down throughout the South Island. Merchants have ample stocks for retail orders, and in the meantime are not prepared to buy any further. FRUIT REPORT. The market is again bare of South Australian oranges, and there will be no further supplies until the arrival of the Waitaki, due on Tuesday from Melbourne. Poorman oranges are offering freely, and are meeting a fair demand only. The condition of most lines of apples reaching the market is unsatisfactory, and the returns must be disappointing to growers. Many of the lines have been held too long by growers, despite the fact that good prices were ruling a few weeks ago. Cooking apples have better inquiry. The New Zealand-grown lemons are in good supply, and the market is easier. A shipment of Californian arrived during the week and had a good inquiry. Heavy supplies of lettuce and spring cabbages are reaching the market. Supplies of rhubarb are increasing, and prices remain steady. Cauliflowers are still realising good prices. Parsnips and swedes are in oversupply. Choice quality carrots are readily saleable, but coarse and inferior grade are difficult to sell. Other vegetables are in good supply, with a normal demand ruling. The following prices were realised during the week:— —Bushel and American Cases.— South Australian oranges, 16s to 22s case. South Australian mandarins, 22s 6d to 32s case.

Pineapples, 18s to 20s case. Pipe bananas, 21s to 25s case. Californian lemons, 65s to 70s case. Californian Grapes.—Ribiers, 24s to 27s case. Apples.—Delicious, 8s 6d to 10s case; Jonathans, 7s 6d to 8s 6d case; Sturmers, 7s 6d to 10s case; Tasman, 7s to 8s case; cooking, 6s to 7s case. Pears.—Winter Cole, half case, 4s 6d to 5s case. , Cooking pears (wanted), 4s to 4s 6d Now Zealand lemons, 12s 6d to 16s case. . , . New Zealand Poormans, 4s to bs case, —Per Sack.— Spring cabbages, Is 6d to 2s 6d sadk. Cabbages, 2s 6d to 4s 6d sack. Cauliflowers, 9s 6d to 11s 6d; others 5s sack. ' Carrots, Is dozen, Is to Is 6d s. bag. . Parsnips, Is dozen, 2s sugar bag. —Per Dozen. — Cucumbers, hothouse (wanted), 7s to 11s 6d dozen. Beetroot, Is dozen. Lettuce, extra choice (wanted), 2s 6d dozen to 4s 6d dozen. Section honey, 8s dozen. Spinach, Is per dozen. —Per lb.— Rhubarb, 2id to 3d lb. Garlic (wanted), 6d lb. Brussels sprouts, 2d lb. Eschallots, IJd lb. Gold Medal Bacon.—Shoulder rolls. Is lb; equal rolls, Is Did lb; long, 1 1 OJd lb. Bulk honey, new season s, 4Jd lb. Beeswax, Is 2d lb. * Butter. —Prints, Is lid lb; bulk. 561 b, Is lid lb; bulk, 281 b and 141 b, Is* lid lb. Tomatoes. 2s 8d to 2s lOd lb. Honey, 101 b tins, 4s tin. —Per Dozen.— Violets, Is to 2s dozen. Sols d’Ors, 4s 6d to 6s 6d dozen. Creams, 3s 6d to 5s dozen. Paper Whites, 2s 6d to 3s 6d dozen. liceland poppies, 2s 6d to 3s 6d dozen. Hyacinths, 5§ to 6s dozen.