Grocery Review

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 255, 18 January 1928, Page 2

Grocery Review

FAIR BUSINESS REPOlt^ MARKETS MOST FAVOUR PINEAPPLES OFFERING AT Low* RATES The Sun Offi w J Muarv i- ... Although business on»nn ’ briskly after the !>olidk”x *1 '*»- grocery merchants now Quieter period, which it i, , will continue until the orrtH ntici *kt« -sth begin to come in f °r volume of orders tia/'® hat. through during the month of this is not surprising for for December is r , tufaorshown a substantial increase *»•> corresponding period for loic T< * U* generally were great ly depleted rush, consequently buyers fc* look carefully to thek which has resulted in ratfl? b . u «a? bookings with the various heatv agents and brokers. With w 'Wet: ceptions the overseas marketi*’!**\ery ta \on ruble offerings in the eral grocery and foodstuff* many lines now being quoted !*** almost back to the pre-wafu^f!? B state of affairs naturally confidence in placing Imw?” 10 * should result in heavier bookta ** has been the case d aring months, during which period hJt? 15 to mouth” system of ordering has been greatly in evident. this year opened the Walhemo Sussex have arrived from the JP" with supphes of spices, which have arrived to bare market, consequently sal« L 4 been heavy in these lines. vessels have landed shipments ofclt 5 fornian dried fruits, which have!*' wanted rather badly. DRIED FRUITS

Quotations generally for all gras, of Californian have been lower t? season than has been the c«. TT many a year—in fact in quite a mig! her of instances prices have been K. low the pre-war level which will some Idea of the huge crops that hat. been handled in California this seasor Prunes, which were quoted sotrmonths ago at figures which renre sented a reduction of 3s to «s a. rnon the lowest pre-war offerings haw since recovered. Cables received dig. ing the week show a still firmer ten dency, and merchants have covered for their requirements right up to Augar shipment. Advices from one of the largest packers in California state, that a great many of the plums representing the smaller-sized prunes were allowed to rot on the trees, as it would not pay the growers to market then at the prices then ruling. Raisins, both seeded and have been selling freely, but here again the crops have been so heap that prices are in many case* stiii falling.

Very favourable offerings have be« made for South African evaporated apricots, which have resulted in a good response from buyers, most of whom cover for their requirements on a spread delivery basis. As regards currants and sultana*, the Australian new crop Milduras wiil not be ready until about May. so that in the meantime merchants will hare to rely on either Californian or Smyrna

sultanas and currants from Greee» Prices for Oreek currants have firmed considerably during the past few week* while advice just received from London shippers advises aji advance of 5s cwt in all grades of Smyrna sultanas. PATES AND FIGS

New crop dates arrived via Australia just before Christmas and quality fe stated to be excellent. The lorwart. market is now most favourable to buyers and London advices just received state that higher prices can be looked for in the near future; with supplies of some grades of cartons in short supply. London advices state that the fig market, which has advanced considerably during the past six weeks, i* likely to go higher, as about $0 per cent of the stock remaining, which has been damaged by rain, is unfit for shipment, and further, that the crop turned out lighter than expected. NUTS

Quotations for new crop Barcelona, nuts for shipment spread to August have now been named, and as these are lower than for years past, some heavy indents have been placed. Shelled Barcelonas are also offered at | lower rates, so any business offering will no doubt be covered for immediately. Shipments of French walmj; halves which are just to hand have landed in perfect order and further business is likely at the attractive prices now on offer. As it is impossible to get an insurance cover against grub arid mildew, shippers are sending out the orders in cool chamber, which should have the effect of landing the nuts in good condition. Prices for new season’s Brazil agw have now been named, but lapwAo* shippers advise that prices are eery irregular and recommend buyers to hold off meantime, as the market is expected to come back very considerably. New season’s soft shell almonds are selling well at favourable rates for spread shipment up to August. Prices are slightly in advance of the opening rates of 1927, but nevertheless we considered good buying. OLIVE OIL New crop French olive oil in one, tw» and five-gal lon tins, is being offers* at attractive prices for January' February shipment, and most of merchants have already covered ** higher prices than those ruling to-dstf* but several fair-sized parcels hW* been booked at the lower level. crop is reported to be light, and tendency is for higher prices. PINEAPPLES Heavy shipments have just from Singapore, and these aro ing with a strong demand owing. doubt, to tlie hot weather. So J® agents have advanced their prices IP the next direct steamer, but one rr“* able shipper has reduced his tions considerably and this hxi* jjr' suited in quite a number of order* ing booked. SALT The demand for all grades cd has been exceptional this summer.*®® although some fairly heavy stocs* were held, further supplies of to arrive at the end of this montß eagerly awaited. There has also D**® a heavy demand for English roc*m» stocks of w'hieh are now rather but further shipments are on water. Supplies of iodised satt small packets which can be retail®** 6d each have now arrived and meeting with a ready sale. CANNED FRUIT Quotations for Australian /* rc awaited although they have been » pec ted for some time. No doubt favourable offerings from are giving the Australian cann ®[f I f w? thought, but probably prices wui fixed before the end of this mono*SHEEP TONGUES New season’s prices named, and these are practically ® par with last season’s opening -^ n Some heavy business has alreaa done to Australia in 12oz »**? , it is anticipated that prices wm vanoe shortly, consequently have not bought would be well to cover for at least a portion oi requirements w’ithout delay-