IN THE MARKET PLACE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 37, 6 May 1927, Page 2

IN THE MARKET PLACE

FRUIT IN SHORTER SUPPLY POTATOES STILL CHEAP The fall of the year is now reflected in the city auction marts and local fruits are gradually being withdrawn. Field and garden produce is offering in ample supplies and the usual demand for all lines is recorded. FRUIT The average quality of much of the pear and apple offerings is registering a decline, and many lines of Keiffer pears especially are coming forward in a badly marked condition and selling at low rates. Repacked bananas are in shorter supply and harder values rule. Choice lemons are meeting with good demand, but the quality generally is poor and prices low. The market for tomatoes is firmer and supplies are falling off. Louise Bon pears are almost finished. A representative range of prices is as follows, though extra choice lines in some instances may command higher values:— Apples are selling from 4s to 9s a case according to quality; pears from 3s for Keiffers to 11s for Coles; Cape gooseberries, 4Jd to 5d a lb; passions, 3s to 6s a case; tree tomatoes, 4s to 6s a case: hot-house grapes, Colman. Is 3d to 2s: lower grades. Is to Is Id; Australian grapes, 18s to 20s a case of 251 b: local lemons, 6s to 12s a case: mandarines, 14s to 15s a case; local tomatoes, 3s to 7s 6d: Hutt tomatoes. 3s 6d to 8s: repacked bananas, 25s to 30s: American oranges, repacks, 3Ss to 40s. VEGETABLES The market remains well supplied, with most lines of field and garden produce and prices greatly favouring the housewife rule. Potatoes continue well supplied and prices low. Inferior quality onions are hard to quit and even firm samples are making only from 2s 6d to 3s 9d a sugar bag. Peas and beans are becoming scarcer and cauliflowers are also harder in value, selling up as high as 18s a sack and making up to 16s a dozen on the benches. Other prices range as follow: Kumaras, 2s 6d to 2s 9d a sugar bag; potatoes, local, 2s 6d to 3s a sugar bag; Southern, 7s a cwt; swedes. Is to 2s a sugar bag: pumpkins, 4s to 9s a cwt; citron melons, hard to ouit, 2s 6d to 3s 6d a sack: beans, 4s to 7s 6d a bag; peas, 3s to 5s a bag; cabbages, 2s to 4s a sack.