Grocery Review

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 290, 28 February 1928, Page 12

Grocery Review

The Sun Office, February 28, 1928. Wholesale merchants report an improvement in trade this week, both town and country orders being very satisfactory, following a distinctly quiet time during the previous fortnight. IT is however noticeable that there is very little heavy buying being done, most of the orders being for small quantities of a great variety of lines—any heavy business is chiefly confined to seasonable lines which, owing to the hot weather are meeting with an exceptionally strong demand. Although the long spell of fine weather has considerably reduced the returns to the farmers, the pastures will recover somewhat with the rain which fell last j week-end, while the high prices rej ceived for wool at the last sale should be most gratifying to sheep farmers, jln consequence more money should be ‘available for circulation in country dis- ; tricts which have experienced rather quiet times since the New Year, and business in these quarters should materially improve. COFFEE Indian coffees for Marcli-April shipment still maintain high prices and both Mysore and Nielgherry grades are quoted ! to-day at approximately £5 per ton above I the opening rates of a month or two TAPIOCA Offers for shipment by the next direct steamer were somewhat confusing last week, some shippers wanting still higher prices, while one or two were offering at about 10s per ton reduction. This has had the effect of some fair business being booked. Several buyers are still waiting for a further reduction before ordering their full requirements, but the market is not expected to go any lower, and heavy bookings will no doubt be in 1 evidence this week, should the lower quo- • tations still be available HERBS Prices have been fairly steady during the last few months, but latest advice ; received states that sage is now slightly firmer, while quotations for marjoram have been considerably reduced. GINGER 1 Cochin ginger is now ruling about £3 ! per ton above the opening prices, but in spite of this advance considerable business has been booked by local agents. PEANLTS 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 present crop of kernals in Java is now finished, and it will be difficult to obtain further supplies until the new crop is ready, as quotations have all been withdrawn. Prices for the new' crop for the April-May shipment are about £1 per ton above the closing rates for the old crop. ACIDS The sharp advance in prices for prompt ! and forward shipment has had the effect jof hardening merchants’ prices for spot j stocks, and as these are somewhat light at present, considerable business has been ! done by those who were fortunate enough to have a little surplus. Cable advice re- | ceived this week indicates a further ad- | vance of 3d a lb for English citric acid ! for prompt or forward shipment, with a very strong market ruling. WALNUT HALVES Business continues to be booked in French yellow halves at very favourable prices, although the market for w'hite halves in French quality is reported to be fairly firm. The agents for Manchuria shippers advise an advance of one penny per ib, in all grades of shelled walnuts, which includes halves, quarters and pieces, but some heavy bookings had already been made for both prompt and spread delivery. WALNUTS Although some shippers of Manchurian walnuts have cabled their agents that suppties are unobtainable, another wellknown supplier is offering a limited quantity at a very attractive rate, and as this offer was for forward shipment, a lair parcel was immediately placed. Apparently walnuts are running short in Tientsin, all stocks that are available being held by the one shipper. Advices from Akaroa and Nelson state that the crops now coming to maturity are likely to be very light, so this has been another factor in causing buyers to book for outside varieties to fulfill their requirements. ESSENCE OF RENNET The agents for Crosse and Blackwell advise a reduction in the price of their pack of English rennet, thus bringing the price to the level of the other bestknown imported lines. SALMON The continued hot weather has greatly stimulated sales 01 all grades of canned salmon, and local stocks are being rapidly depleted. This refers particularly to British. Columbia Sockeye, and it seems certain that stocks held in wholesale hands will be cleared up long before the arrival of the new' season’s pack, which cannot be landed here until about Octo-ber-November next. No further supplies of present season's Sockeye are available from British Columbia canneries. PINEAPPLES The Singapore market for all sizes is slightly easier, this week, quotations for both the March-April and July-August steamers being available. These are lower than for many years, and considerable business has been sent up. In the past the market has very often weakened just before the steamers sailed and buyers have been able, in some cases, to book the balance of their requirements to advantage. The position seems different at present, as it is thought tnat prices have about reached bedroex, and with the demand from the retail section continuing very strong, the imports by the next two steamers will be heavy. lODISED SALT An increased sale is recorded in this line, and now that the Education Department are discontinuing tne treatment for goitre and the distribution of iodide tablets, a heavier inquiry is expected. Stocks on hand are light, but as further indents are on the water, no shortage in supplies Is anticipated. DATES At the low prices which have been ruling, dates were considered to be good buying, but the market has now firmed considerably, consequently the business already booked (although not as heavy as was expected) should prove very satisfactory to buyers. Reports from London shippers state that the quality of the 1927 pack of Sairs is exceptionally good, and the crop was heavy. As there is always a big demand from India and the Mediterranean (or this grade, there is no possibility of the market weakening. The crop of Khadrawis was smaller than was expected, owing to a considerable amount of damage by sandstorms, while the popularity of Hallo wee grade has resulted in most of the available supplies being rapidly absorbed.. Carton Dates are a very short pack this season, and in many brands stocks are now exhausted. The above information gives some indication of the position of the date market and the reasons for the firm prices now ruling. To give some idea of the crops of dates that are marketed in a season it is estimated that the export from Basra (exclusive of shipments to the United States) would be in the region of 1J million boxes. CLOVES

Spot stocks are very light, and a further shipment, which has been expected each week, is anxiously awaited. Slightly lower offers were made for December shipment, but the market has again advanced to about the same level as formerly. There is a very heavy demand for supplies this year, so evidently there is a lot of pickling being done. BEANS

I Stocks of Madagascar Lima Beans are light, but shipments of the new crop are i due in a few weeks’ time. Sales in both j ' Lima and Haricot Beans are expected to i be very considerable this winter, as sup- j ! plies of vegetables are short. The ! ! market for Limas is somewhat easier for! . prompt shipment, but Haricots have ad- I vanced, and a firm market is in evidence [ for March-April shipment from the East.