DEAR FRUIT

Marlborough Express, Volume LXXVI, Issue 252, 26 October 1942, Page 6

DEAR FRUIT

ORANGES AND MANDARINS. PRICES AT WELLINGTON. Hew Zealand navel oranges are reaching previously unheard-of prices at auction in Wellington, and they could be seen marked lOd each in a shop window. The price of oranges grown in New Zealand is not eontrolled by the Government, and the retailer's profit is only limited to a maximum of 40 per cent. With the cessation of supplies of oranges from overseas the demand for New Zealand oranges has puslied their price up to 60s for a cass of 120, and even 70s for a case of 70 or 80, which is abmit ls each, is reported. A month ago only 18s was being paid -for a case of oranges. Most fruiterers in Wellington have had no New Zealand navel oranges. Another fruit that is bringing extraordinary prices in Wellington at present is mandarins. Mandarins the size of walnuts arfp being offered to the public at five for ls. They come from Kerikeri, North Auckland, and they torought on the Wellington market 30s for a oase of less than half a bushel containing about 290. New Zealand mandarins have been appearing on the market over the past three years, but the supply is irregular They are not always as sn.all as those now in Wellington. The supply of apples is also unusually poor at present. Stumiers are the only ories appearing on the wholesale market, and their price is 13s 6d a case, v/hich means that they sell at 6d or 7d a pound. Fancy prices are being obtained for some kinds of vegetables. Rhubarb was 7s 6d for three bunches. Spring onions sold at a price equal to Id each. Leeks of average size were 22s a case of 40. Carrots, parsnips, and swedes are almost unobtainable, and pump- 1 kins and marrows are going off the! market, so cabbages and cauliflowers ! are the chief vegetables being offered' in Wellington. V