HEAVY SUPPLIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26631, 29 November 1947, Page 3

HEAVY SUPPLIES

NEW SEASON'S VEGETABLES LOW PRICES FOR GREEN PEAS The shipment of oranges received in Dunedin' during the week by the Waitaki was cleared immediately from the wholesalers, and retailers report an excellent demand. The Waitaki is expected to bring another good shipment on her next trip, but unfortunately, this is not likely to take place until after the Christmas holiday. A shipment of Jamaican oranges may arrive before Christmas, but no definite information has been received. It iff not known when the next shipment of bananas will arrive, but it is expected during the next few weeks. Lemons are scarce, only a very small lot of New Zealand-grown having arrived during the past few jnonths. There have been increased supplies of cherries from Central Otago, the better quality meeting with a good market. Strawberries have been in better supply and next week should see fairly large quantities in the marts. Prices are considerably lower than last year, when the crop was almost a failure. Heavy supplies of tomatoes from Christchurch and Nelson, as well as from local hothouses, have come forward. Prices are much lower than for the corresponding period last year. Gooseberries have been in good supply, with a fair demand. New potatoes have been in failsupply. These have come mainly from the Nelson district, but small lots have also come forward from Oamaru and Outran!. Nelson potatoes have been neglected by buyers and heavy stqcks are being held by merchants. These" potatoes are selling at far below the ceiling price, but buyers are not interested. There has been a better inquiry for locally-grown potatoes, and the ceiling price has been ruling. The new price order, which will come into effect on Monday, will enable potatoes to be sold a a lower price, and may have an effect on sales. Green peas have been in heavy supply throughout the week, with low values ruling. Many of the lots coming from the Waimate district have been on the dry side and these have been difficult to place. Choice quality were in better demand yesterday. Broad beans are a glut on the market, and are practically unsaleable. Lettuce, which have been .offered at low prices, particularly during the past few months, showed an improvement during the week. Cabbages have been in good supply, with prices considerably below ceiling rates. Old season’s carrots have been practically unsaleable, the quality being poor. White turnips are in good supply. Cucumbers and asparagus have both been selling at satisfactory prices. Market Prices Ruling prices at the end of the week in Dunedin were:— Cherries: Choice, to 3s 6d lb; others, Is to Is 6d lb. Strawberries: Choice, to 3s 6d; others, Is 6d to 2s a punnet. Tomatoes: Local, 2s 5d to 2s 8d lb; Christchurch. 2s to 2s 4d lb: Nelson, Is 9d to 2s lb. Gooseberries: 5d to 6d lb. Bananas: Green, sold out. Oranges: Sold out. Lemons: Sold out. t New potatoes: Local, 4Jd to s]d lb; Nelson. 3d to 4d lb. Green peas: 4d lb. Broad beans: Id to lid lb. Spinach: To 3s 6d., Lettuce: Choice, to 4s a dozen; others. Is. Cauliflower: Choice, to 15s a sack; others, 4s to 6s a sack. Cabbage: 4s to 6s a case. Asparagus: To 21s a dozen. Cucumbers: 18s to 24s a dozen. Leeks: To 3d a bunch. Carrots: To 2s 6d a sugar bag. White turnips: 2s a dozen. t