Grocery Review

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 266, 31 January 1928, Page 12

Grocery Review

WHOLESALE TRADE . IMPROVES AUSTRALIAN DESSERT FRUITS . FAVOURABLE PRICES NOW NAMED The Sun Office, January 31, 1928. THE wholesale trade has had a busier time this past week, the orders for February account being well up to the average for this period of the year. The continued dry spell has affected country business to a greater extent than it has the town and suburban areas.

Although many city families are only just returning to their homes after the holidays, trade has kept up fairly well. Overseas markets still continue favourable to buyers, although there are several advances to report from the various sources of suppler. The longpromised quotations for Australian canned fruits have at last made their appearance and are receiving the consideration of all buyers. The markets for acids and cream of tartar are still in a very unsettled and uncertain state. DATES

London advices just to hand show a decidely firm market in all lines, both Sair and Khadrawi grades of bulk having advanced about Is a cwt. for February shipment, with still greater increases for loose-packed and stoned. Stocks of cartons in Great Britain are reported to be very short, as they have been for many years an unprofitable line to Busreh packers, and this year comparatively small quantities are being shipped to London. BRAZIL NUTS

In the absence of further reports from Home shippers who previously advised buyers that in their opinion lower quotations would rule, the majority of the local merchants have placed their orders at the best rates offering. As these rates are within a few pounds a ton of the opening prices last year, this may be a wise policy, since the market in 1927 advanced steadily about 70 per cent, during the year. Some London shippers have not yet quoted prices, as they consider the market too speculative at present and still forecast lower quotations will rule. BARCELONA NUTS

Although these are still being offered at the same favourable rates for prompt shipment from Spain, shippers are asking a further £3 a ton for spread delivery up to August next. It should be interesting to all buyers to know that the Spanish Government has instituted a law regulating the inspection of fruits and nuts. Consequently, prior to leaving Spain, each shipment has to be inspected by a scientific commission, appointed for that purpose. A certificate is then issued to the effect that the shipment was in perfect condition and thoroughly sound when shipped. This certificate is held in Spain and is available, should there arise at any time dispute or discussion as to the condition of the goods at the time of the dispatch from Spain. As this refers to all lines, including Jordan almonds, walnuts, Valencias, etc., it is certainly a step in the rifeht direction, and will be much appreciated by merchants generally. WALNUT HALVES

Quotations received during last week for French yellow perfect halves for shipment in cool chamber up to April next are considerably below prices ruling for white halves, and fair business has been booked. CANNED FRUITS Prices for new season’s Australian canned fruits have now been announced by the local agents for the various canning companies and in comparison with last year’s offers show some alterations worth recording. Apricots are 3d a dozen higher, peaches, both halves and slices, 9d a dozen cheaper, while pears remain the same. The above comparisons refer to the f.o.b. costs. BARTLETT PEARS The New Zealand packed fruit is of excellent quality, and more than holds its own with Australian in this respect, and as the local pack is slightly more than Is a dozen cheaper than Australian, *i^ ye^Vs ar e likely to pay most attention to the New Zealand article. PEACHES There appear to be good crops of peaches in Australia this year, as both first and second quality are being freely offered. Heavy bookings are anticipated in both halves and slices at the favourable rates on offer, as the quality of Australian fruit is recognised as first-class and compares more than favourably with Californian packs, which of late have not been up to the standard of former years. APRICOTS

As Australian apricots are slightly dearer than last year, the attention of -buyers is more likely to be centred on South Africans this year. The quality of last season’s deliveries of this pack was found to be excellent.

The whole position in canned fruits is rather complicated, owing to the various packs of Australian, South African and Californian fruit on offer, and it would appear that the business is likely to be well distributed. Shipments can be made immediately and spread up to November next, but as the local market at the moment is rather well supplied no doubt the majority of the orders will be booked for forward delivery. PE SSI CAT ED COCOANUT

Prices still remain firm, but the indent market is rather quiet owing to most buyers having recently covered for their requirements at prices slightly under current rates. PEPPER

Cable advice from Singapore states that lower prices are not to be expected, while they may even advance considerably. Although market reports from the Straits Settlement are not always' reliable, the above forecast is from a very, reliable house and it is believed that this information will prove correct. The crop has proved to be very disappointing and is estimated to be 15 per cent, less than the world’s average requirements. TEA

At the Colombo sale last week the quantity offered was 2,290,0001 b. There was a strong demand, except for commonest and low medium qualities, but the market was higher for improved quality. CREAM OF TARTAR

A further development during the week was the reinstatement of prices by one of the leading English manufacturers at a price £3 a ton in advance of previous rates. However, these quotations were withdrawn within 24 hours, so it is expected that even higher rates will be asked when prices are again available. Other English makes have also advanced, with a prospect of further increases, as it is stated that the grape crop in France has been a partial failure. In sympathy with cream of tartar, quotations for English tartaric acid also remain withdrawn at present, and the Italian article lias taken a sharp advance, with the market still very firm. Citric acid has advanced nearly 2d a lb. during the last few weeks and at the moment it is difficult to obtain confirmation of any business on hand.

The uncertain position surrounding these three lines used so extensively by manufacturers will no doubt be cleared up within the next week or two. • OIL OF LEMON

The market for oil of lemon is very disturbed, and recent cables advise an advance of almost 20 per cent, for further business. It is stated that the popularity of lemons for medicinal purposes in Central Europe is causing a large drain on supplies that would otherwise be treated for oil, also that the general advance in citrus oils is a further feature affecting the market. It is impossible to forecast whether this advance will be sustained, but as cable advice was received some time ago that a rise was imminent, most local buyers were able to cover for a portion of their requirements before the advance. DRIED FRUITS

Prices for most grades of Californians continue to weaken. Seeded raisins in cartons are now offered at rates which appear great value to the consumer, while most varieties of bulk and bleached raisins are down to a. level that has not been reached for many a year. Shipments of Australian currants and sultanas just to hand are not in the best of order, but as they were the last of the season’s pack, this was only to be expected. It is stated that the crops of Mildura currants and sultanas are most prolific this year, consequently the new prices are being anxiously awaited. PRUN ES

Most merchants bought prunes early in the season for spread delivery right up to August next. Prices were then much lower than they are to-day; in fact, v some of the values offered were exceptional. Advices received from San Francisco go to show r that the corner has been turned and values are expected to show a steady increase in all sizes of fruit. There are several reasons given for this—firstly, the quality of Yugo-Slavian prunes was not satisfactory, consequently they had to be forced immediately into channels of consumption. Secondly, the French crop was smaller than estimated because, owing to considerable rain in August and September, much fruit had rotted, the result being that the output was some two to three thousand tons short of the estimates. Thirdly, in Oregon, steady rains during the drying period had the effect of reducing the crop to about onehalf of last year’s production. It is now anticipated that the 1927 production of prunes is likely to be 40,000 to 50,000 tons below the earlier estimates, and this, together with the increased demand brought about by the exceptionally low early offerings, has resulted in a general steadying of prices in all grades. AN INTERESTING SHIPMENT IRON FOR MELBOURNE (Special to THE SUN.) WELLINGTON, Monday. A varied and interesting shipment was lifted by the Union Company’s steamer Karetu, which left Wellington to-night for Melbourne and Adelaide. The steamer carried a consignment of 500 tons of pig iron from the Onakaka iron fields for Melbourne;; wool for transhipment to Genoa; and several hundred bales of flax for Melbourne binder twine mills. The Commonwealth tariff on the iron wrill be £3 a ton.

LONDON MEAT VALUES MEAT BOARD QUOTATIONS Underrate January 28, the London office of the New Zealand Meat Producers Board cabled as follows: New Zealand Wethers and Maidens. — Canterbury quality, selected brands (old season), 561 b and under, 6£d a lb; 571 b to 641 b, 6d; 651 b to 721 b, s£d; other brands (new season), 561 b and under, 63d; 571 b to 641 b, 6 l-8d; 651 b to 721 b, 5 3-Bd. New Zealand Lambs. —Canterbury quality. selected brands (new season), 361 b and under, 10 3-8 d; 371 b to 421 b, 10 3-Sd; other brands, first quality (new season), 361 b and under, lOd; 371 b to 421 b, lOd; second quality, 30-32 average, 9£d. Australian Lambs. —Victorian, first quality, 361 b and under, 9d; 371 b to 421 b, 9d. Argentine Lambs. —First quality, 361 b and under, 7 3-8 d; 371 b to 421 b, 7£d. New Zealand Beef.—Ox fores, 3£d; hinds, sd; cow fores, 3£d; hinds, 4d. Argentine Chilled Beef. —Ox fores, 32d; hinds, 6Jd. Argentine Frozen peef.—Ox fores, 3Jd; hinds, 5 '5-Bd. Frozen Pork.—Porkers, 601 b to 801 b, 7£d; 811 b to 991 b, 7d; 1001 b to 1201 b, 62d; baconers, 1211 b to 1801 b, 6£d. Lamb Market.—Still easing owing to heavier landing. Mutton Market.—Steady, stocks are not heavy. Frozen Pork.—Market is quiet owing to heavy supplies. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., report having received the following cable from- their London house dated January 27: Frozen Moat. —Lamb, 10Jd; the market is slow.. Mutton, the market is weaker. LONDON MARKETS OFFICIAL RESUME Under date January 28 the High Commissioner for New Zealand stationed in London cabled the following resume of London markets:— Tallow \ The market is quiet and prices are Mutton: Fine, 44s 6d to 45s a cwt; fair to good, 38s 6d to 40s 6d; dark to dull, 36s to 375. Beef: Sweet and/or mixed, 39s 6d to 425; fair to good, 37s 6d to 39s 6d; dark to dull, 35s to 365. Mixed: Fair to good, 37s to 395; dark to dull, 35s to 365. Gut, etc., 34s to 365. Hemp The Manila market is quiet. “J” grade January-March shipments are quoted at £4l 10s, sellers. Sisal: The market is quiet. No. 1 on the spot is quoted at £37, sellers, and business has been done in distant shipments at £36 15s. No. 2 afloat parcels are offered at £35 10s, but buyers offer £35. Tow: More is offering and buyers quote £29 10s for first grade, and small business has been done. New Zealand is a little easier. There are sellers of fair at £32 ss, but buyers are holding back. Afloat parcels are offered at £33 and small sales are reported. Values at the close were: Highpoints, £34 10s; fair, £32: common, £3l 10s; second-grade tow, £2l; and third grade, Wool The wool sales continue well attended with competition brisk. New Zealand crossbred, greasy, is particularly in request. Values are firmly maintained. Honey The bulk market is quiet and prices are more or less nominal. New Zealand, 56s to 88s a cwt Californian, 35s to 52s 6d Jamaican, 30s to 50s. Cuban, 37s to 40s. Australian, 37s 6d to 50s San Domingan, 32s 6d to 455.

BUTTER AND CHEESE

PRICES IN LONDON (Special to THE SUN.J WELLINGTON, Monday. Under date January 27 the London office of the New Zealand Dairy Control Board cabled as follows: Butter New Zealand: Salted, 152 s to 1565; unsalted, 156 sto 160 s. There is a steady demand, the bulk of business being done at 152 sto 1545. Deliveries of New Zealand during the week amounted to 2,160 tons, leaving j.n store at the moment 2,960 tons. Australian: Finest salted, 148 s to 1525; unsalted, 150 s to 1525. Argentine: Finest unsalted, 140 s to 144 s to 1465. Danish: 170 s to 172 s on the spot, 166 s f.o.b. Dutch: Creamery unsalted, 188 s to 190 s. Polish: 151 s to is2s. Retail prices are unchanged. Cheese New Zealand: White and coloured, SBs to 90s. Canadian: Finest white, 100 s to 102 s to 104 s; coloured, 98s to 100 s. Australian: Finest coloured, 88s to 995. English: Finest farmers’, 126 s to 128 s. Retail prices are unchanged. North American Markets The board’s Canadian agents advise as follows: Butter: New York, 47J cents (Is llid); Montreal, 35 cents (Is s£d); Frisco extras, 46 cents (Is lid); on the Vancouver market, New Zealand finest makes. 37 cents (Is 6Jd), first 36£ cents (lg 6la seconds 35£ cents (Is sid). Under date January 28, the London manager for the Amalgamated Dairies, Ltd., cabled as follows: “Buter.—“Anchor” advanced on Friday evening to 158 s; firsts, 1565; unsalted, 1625. Danish, 170 sto 172 son spot; 166 s f.o.b. The market is very bare. Retails unchanged. Cheese.—White and coloured, 91s. Canadian, 98s to 104 s. Market firmer. Retail unchanged.” Under date January 30 the Anglo-Con-tinental Co., London, cabled their New Zealand agent, C. Paviour Smith, as follows: “Butter.—“ Anchor” advanced on Friday Cheese, 89s to 91s. “The butter market will probably improve during the next two weeks.”