MAIZE STILL SHORT ON THE SPOT

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 116, 6 August 1927, Page 12

MAIZE STILL SHORT ON THE SPOT

PRICE FIRMER POTATOES WEAKER Maize continues short on the spot, wheat is firm, potatoes are easier, barley is meeting with a fair demand, other lines command little attention. Ample supplies of potatoes are held In Auckland at the moment, with a further shipment due here over the weekend. The prioe to-day, through store, is in the vicinity of ,£ 7 ss, but it is quite on the cards that next week may see it come back at least 5s a ton. Merchants here hold the opinion that stocks in the South arc ample for the season’s requirements and that low values can be expected to continue. The seed potato market is practically at a standstill, due to wet weather holding up planting operations. Three or four days’ sun would no doubt see heavy Inquiries, however, and ample supplies of most varieties are held in anticipation. Maize is in short supply on the spot, due to the heavy demand from feeders not prepared to meet the increased demands of wheat sellers. Wet weather in the Bay of Plenty has held up shelling operations, and supplies coming forward have not been up to expectations, both in regard to quality and quantity. A fresh shipment from Gisborne is expected to come to hand over the week-end. The market has firmed 2d to 3d for immediate delivery and on the wharf is worth from 6s to 6s 3d a bushel. Through store the price ranges from 6s 9d to 7s a bushel. With every indication pointing to the high price for wheat keeping up, it is expected that maize will see the present values for some time to come. Fowl wheat continues to be dealt with through store at: from 8s to 8s 3d a bushel. Oats are weaker in the South, but only hand-to-mouth business is being put through. Locally B Gartons sell through store in the vicinity of 4s Id. Barley is in good demand for pig ;ind poultry food. Good sample chevalier is dealt with through store at 5s 6d a bushel. With the arrival of Melbourne shipments, onions are giving little concern. Arrangements are being made to bring forward Canadian shipments in bags and cases in October and November. Through store Melbourne onions at the moment sell locally in the vicinity of 10s 6d a cwt.

Chaff meets with a better local demand. though prices in the South tend to ease, due no doubt to the early closing down on winter feeding. Through store, chaff in Auckland brings £ 9 Gs to £ 9 10s a ton.