CHEAP POTATOES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20132, 29 December 1939, Page 12

CHEAP POTATOES

GISBORNE SUPPLIES PRICES SLUMP FURTHER EGGS BECOME DEARER GRAIN AND SEED MARKETS Potato prices in Gisborne have receded further, and the retail rate is now half that of a fortnight ago, consequent on rapidly increasing supplies. Shops are at present selling potatoes at Blb. for Is, larmers being given £8 per tou. The future position is still somewhat obscure, and is not expected to bo clear until the market settles down alter the holidays. ' However, there appear to be abundant supplies in the district to cater for the requirements for some time. Greatly increased areas wore planted in potatoes this year, and in addition the season has been favour able, some good crops being reported from many parts of the district. Egg prices are a little higher than before Christmas, but are still low lor the time ot the year. An advance of 2d per dozen was made yesterday, the retail rate now being Is lid, producers receiving Is 3d. Maize and Grass Seed > The market for maize is still very quiet, and little movement is expected until after the holidays, but as only sufficient remains in the district for local requirements little activity is expected in the market until the new crop is available. The opinion lias been expressed that there should be some early crops on the market next year. In tno.se areas not affected by the'Boxing Day hailstorm the crops are looking particularly well, many of them being much further forward than is usual for this time of the year. A few are even in flower. It is not thought that the storm damage will seriously affect the season's estimates of the total supplies available. There is still no indication of t’ne value of perennial ryegrass seed. A number of buyers are ready to purchase forward at figures that do not correspond, however, with the farmers' ideas of value, but it is expected that little business will be passing until the first of the crons have been machine-dressed. This week’s rain has delayed the harvesting, which will be slower than usual on places affected by the hailstorm.