Grocery Review

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 296, 6 March 1928, Page 12

Grocery Review

The Sun Office, March 6, 1928. Although business put through by the wholesale grocery houses for the first of the month period was fairly heavy, trade has continued steady since then, and merchants seem to be quite optimistic about their returns for the first quarter ending March 31 being up to expectations. THE very favourable reports from A London regarding the butter and cheese markets must be very gratifying to the farmers and the country generally, and the knowledge that our exports are assured of high prices should have the effect of a steady increase in trade generally. The arrivals this past week include several lines which have been in very short supply. There is an acute shortage of various lines at the moment, citric acid, stoneless dates and Sockeye salmon being almost unprocurable. COFFEE The market for both Indian and Java grades continues very firm, and cables just to hand advise a further advance of £5 a ton—this makes a total increase of £lO a ton for both Mysore and Pielgherry qualities since prices were first named. SPICES Quotations for both nutmegs and mace have shown a firming tendency during the past month, but offers made by Singapore merchants this week are appreciably easier, and are considered good buying. Cables to hand indicate a still stronger market for all grades of peppers, prices being about Id. a lb higher than those ruling last week. Buyers, however, remain apathetic, hoping for a substantial decline before the sailing of the direct steamer in April. PINEAPPLES Mail from Singapore says that, at the time of writing, fruit was not too plentiful, and many canneries were working only two or three days a week. Although further supplies will be available during the present month, the canning season does not really begin until April. The present low prices are presumably based on an estimate of the new season’s crop, and are not expected :o come back appreciably—in fact, it is far more likely that a sharp rise will take place shortly. FIJIAN PINEAPPLES An item of interest on the Niagara last week was a shipment of Fijian canned pineapples in various sized tins and of several grades. As this fruit is of excellent quality and flavour, and compares favourably in this respect with Hawaiian, the small quantity available is meeting with a good demand from the grocers. SICILY ALMONDS A sudden decline in the price of Sicily almonds for prompt shipment has been notified this week, the market having eased almost |d a lb. No reason is given for this fall, but no doubt it has been brought about with the idea of attracting heavier business. TAPIOCA After some violent changes in the market a few orders have been accepted by shippers on a slightly higher basis than the current prices, and closing quotations remain very firm. CANNED FRUITS Business in both Australian and Californian packs of canned fruits, particularly peaches and apricots, is still being very keenly competed for by the wholesale trade, and. it would appear to be advantageous to the retail to cover for the greater part of their requirements while prices are so cheap. It is stated that the rates now quoted cannot be giving the growers a fair margin of profit, and these prices do not appear likely to hold for any length of time. OLIVE OIL Reports from Italy state that the market for Italian olive oil is very strong and further advances are likely to take place shortly. Prices for French are also firming, and those who have not yet bought their supplies would do well to cover without delay. ACIDS No change Is recorded in tartaric acid this week, but a lurther sharp advance of 2d a lb nas been advised in citric. Quotations have been t>rauualiy mounting up since the be t> ...nint; oi the year, this last rise repret: .'.ting a total increase of about ud a In, and Lne p05...0n is noi likely to .inprove until about me end oi this year. TEA The weekly sales In Colombo last week | saw an irregular market, medium and 1 common grades being slightly easier, but good teas dearer—the quality is said to be Improving. The general demand was only fair, buying for the Russian market being somewhat restricted. This week’s offering will be 2,300,0001 b, which is slightly less than last week's total. NUTS Higher prices are now being asked by London shippers for all grades of Brazil nuts for March-April shipment, while for shipment further on still greater advances are being asked. The favourable quotation available for Manchurian walnuts last week did not remain open for very long, as the price soon advanced by almost id a lb, with the market very firm. PRIED FRUITS The weakness in oil-bleached sultanas and raisins is still much in evidence, a further decline of Is 6d a cwt. being advised. Even at the favourable rates on offer, little business has been booked locally, as heavy stocks of Australian sultanas held by merchants have to be cleared. It will be interesting to see the prices for the new crop of Mildura sultanas, for should these be on a par with last season’s quotations, no doubt a considerable amount of business will go to the Californian market. The quality of Smyrna fruit was so irregular this year that this once popular grade is not receiving much attention from buyers. Californian evaporated apples are being offered at favourable rates for prompt shipment from San Francisco, while the market for prunes remains firm, a slight advance in one or two of the larger sizes being in evidence. South African evaporated apricots, after being in very short supply for some time have now landed and are meeting with a keen demand. COCONUT Cables received from Colombo state that quotations for desiccated coconut are somewhat easier as supplies are coming to hand more freely. To-day’s prices are 9d a cwt below those previously ruling, with a possibility of a further reduction. KAURI GUM PRICES Following are the. prices obtained for kauri gum for the fortnight ended March 5, according to a report submitted by the Kauri Gum Control Board. White Gum.—Seven-eighth scraped, 145 s to 160 s; good ordinary, 72s to 82s; white nuts, 70s; heart swamp, 34s to 365; poor swamp, 28s to 325; chips and dust, 35s to 40s. Black Gum. —Seven-eighth scraped, 150 s; washed steel, 85s to 90s; light brown, 65s to 70s; medium ordinary black, 35s to 40s; chips, sifted and good, 22s to 275; chips and dust, 16s to 18s. Bush Gum.—Rescraped, 180 s; bled bush, !1 °s.