Grocery Review

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 284, 21 February 1928, Page 12

Grocery Review

The Sun Office, February 21, 1928. Trade with the wholesale merchants has been much quieter this past week, the demand from both town and country districts being considerably less than in the same period last month. falling off in trade during the week preceding the 25th of each month is always noticeable, and is rather more so this month as so many traders take stock at the end of March. Conditions will no doubt improve temporarily during the coming fortnight, as there are certain to be shortages in some lines in the retail section which cannot be held over.

The conference of the federated wholesale merchants of the Dominion was held in Auckland last week, members from all parts of both islands being present. Most of the Southern members have now returned to their homes. There are numerous market changes to chronicle this week, but with the exception of one or two lines quotations continue to rule firm. TAPIOCA Prices for both sago and tapioca have advanced considerably since the opening prices for the March-April steamer were named. At the present time the market continues firm with an upward tendency, and it would appear that purchases by the above vessel will rule at even higher rates, as merchants have not yet covered for their requirements, being under the impression that quotations would ease. CANNED FRUITS An important announcement has been made this week regarding Australian canned fruits. The home-consumption values of peaches and apricots have both been reduced by over 9d a dozen and Is a dozen respectively, although there is no reduction in the f.o.b. cost of the fruit for export to this Dominion. This applies to the standard pack only and not to second quality and will have the effect of lowering merchants’ costs very considerably, as the import duty is based on the h.c. value. A fair amount of business in canned fruits has already been done with Californian pack and it is rather a pity that the Australian canners were unable to make this announcement earlier, as it would have been the means of diverting a considerable portion of the orders to Australia. These prices are fixed by the Australian Canners’ Association, from whom export permits for shipment must be obtained. No information has been received regarding any alteration in the h.c. value of Australian canned pears, but even allowing for a lower rate being announced, this will not affect the merchants’ position, as the quality and price of the New Zealand packed Bartlett pears should have the effect of keeping all the trade in the hands of the packers in this Dominion. PEANUTS

Chinese peanuts in shell continue to rule very firm, but most buyers covered at favourable rates and these shipments should arrive to a good market. The crop of kernels in Java is finished and it will be difficult to obtain further supplies as quotations have all been with- j drawn. NUTS Quotations for Brazil nuts continue firm ! and a further advance is advised this j week for both March-April and July- : August shipments, Brazil Kernals in 281 b. boxes are now being offered for j prompt shipment at prices considerably ! below the last rates ruling, but it is anticipated that still lower levels will be reached. PEPPER A further advance in all grades this week shows a total rise of 25 per cent, since the end of last year. To-day’s rate is over 300 per cent, above pre-war prices. DRIED FRUJTS The Californian markets continue to weaken in all lines, with the exception of prunes. Cables received this week notify a further decline in oil-bleached sultanas dnd Thompson’s seedless raisins, the demand for which has so far not been heavy this year. The phenomenal crops of raisins in California are no doubt responsible for the low rates ruling, and probably when prices for Australian Mildura sultanas are named, they may be sufficient inducement for merchants to fill a portion of their requirements with the American article.