Grocery Review

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 308, 20 March 1928, Page 12

Grocery Review

The Sun Office, March 20, 1928. After being on the quiet side last week, trade with the wholesale houses is considerably brighter, as orders for the 25th delivery, which are charged as April, have been coming in steadily. THESE are not as heavy as expected, but it is noticeable that there is quite a good percentage of orders for larger quantities to be delivered after April 1, so that it will not be necessary for the retailers to take these into account when taking stock. Although there has been a fair list of vessels arriving from overseas, merchants are not landing any heavy shipments, as the larger indents are usually ordered to arrive after March 31. There are several alterations in locallymanufactured lines to record, one of the largest packers of benzine, turpentine and methylated spirits advising a reduction in these lines, while one of the manufacturers of baking powder in the Dominion has notified the trade that his prices will be reduced in all sizes in June next. tea At the auction sale in Colombo last week the market was very active, with a strong demand from Russia. ' Prices showed an all-round advance, commons being up 3 cents, mediums 5 cents, and good teas 8 cents, while there was a distinct improvement in the quality generally. BACON An advance of Id a lb is notified by one of the leading curers, and it is expected that the others will all come into line before very long. It is stated that the bacon companies have not been working at a reasonable rate of profit of late, as the cost of curing has been considerably increased, owing to the restrictions on the use of preservatives which were considered necessary to the keeping qualities of the bacon which is most suitable for the local market and for export. MILDURA FRUITS Prices were named last week for both currants and sultanas, and these have been receiving some consideration from buyers throughout the Dominion. Sultanas are offering at practically the same rates as last year, with the exception of Three Crown quality, which are Is a cwt dearer, but on the other hand, currants are offered at 3d a lb in advance of last season. Spread delivery can be given up to June in the case of sultanas, prices being Is 6d a cwt higher for shipment in that month, while currants are not offered for any later shipment than April, and it is stated that all advices go to show that higher prices will be quoted for later shipment. Another point of interest this season is that orders will only be accepted for a minimum shipment of 200 boxes on one bill of lading, which may have the effect of causing the smaller buyers to pool their orders. One Crown sultanas are not yet quoted, but it is anticipated that a fair quantity will be available shorlty. CALIFORNIA FRUITS In competition with Mildura fruits prices for all grades of Californian raisins and sultanas are very much lower than Australian, but as there is a vast difference in quality, both lines are ordered by the merchants. The weakness in the market is still being reflected in the exceptionally low quotations ruling for both bleached and unbleached sultanas and raisins from America, but as this market has been overstocked, little business has been booked in these lines for some time However, it is anticipated that if present oifers continue, considerable business will be sent to San Francisco for arrival here in the winter and early spring months, when the demand is greater. EASTERN FRUITS . Some years ago a heavy trade was done in Smyrna sultanas and Greek currants, but during the last few years prices have* in most instances, been prohibitive, although at certain periods there are some fair-sized parcels of Amalia currants ordei'ed’ Prices to-day are considerably ab ?ve the Australian article, and it is unlikely that any reduction can he looked abie Untl l thG neW season ’ s cr °P is avaiJMUTTON BIRDS Definite quotations for the new pack Tasmanian birds are not yet made, although indications point to prices being about the same as last season. The local demand was not quite so heaw last with the result that there has been a carry-over, which may have the effect of reducing the indent orders this year. The birds from Stewart Island, which are cooked and usually packed in kits, were very small last season, but reports to hand state that this season’s catch promises more favourably, and the opening prices are expected to be slightly below last year’s figure. Prices of Tasmanian, which are packed in casks and preserved in brine, are considerably less than the Dominion pack, and the bulk of the business is expected to be booked in the Tasmanian article. CANNED FRUITS The markets for both Australian and Californian canned fruits are still unsettled, and the orders booked by merchants, so far, are being offered to the retail at prices which are the lowest for many years. It is stated that several of the canneries in Australia which are subsidised by the Government have been showing a heavy loss for some time, and it is considered to be only a question of time before action is taken to check the cutting tactics which are being adopted. There is little change to record in prices generally this week, but cabled advice from one of the largest Californian packers states that their stocks of standard peaches, halves and slices, in 2}lb tins, are exhausted. California packers are packing both sliced and halves peaches in small tins of about 8 ounces this season, this size being very suitable for small families. Quality is stated to be excellent. NUTS Brazil nuts are being offered for August shipment at about 10 per cent amove the opening rates for the new crop for April shipment, and the market continues firm. Peanuts are still being offered at higher rates, while Java kernals have advanced 10s a ton, with a further rise in price probable. The market for Chinese walnuts again shows slightly higher prices, while Rumanian are being quoted this week at an attractive figure. SPICES Nutmegs are again cheaper this week, the market having receded }d a lb, while all grades of peppers have advanced another i£d since the last quotations. TAPIOCAS Quotations received last week were a little easier, but some business cabled to Singapore on a counter offer slightly below the rates on offer was not accepted, sellers demanding the full price quoted. PIN EAPPLES Several agents have advanced their prices slightly since last week, but bookings are still not tip to expectations, in the face of the exceptionally weak market and low prices which have been on offer. Indications point to a general firming of all sizes in the near future. PATES The upward movement, which has been in evidence for some time, continues. and further advances in all grades are advised. Stocks of stoned dates are now exhausted, while London advices just received state that supplies of carton dates are very light. JUTE GOODS There is little buying activity beingshown at present for the Mareh-April steamer, although a few inquiries have been made for cornsacks, as merchants have been particularly low in stock, and some purchases were made for the coming steamer to tide them over until the heavier buying season takes place, approximately May-June next. Woolpacks are of Tittle interest at present, as the market is fractionally higher to-day than when the buying was done for the JulyAugust steamer, which is the period most suitable for woolpack shipment H ESSI AN There is always interest shown for each of the direct steamers, and latest prices from Calcutta indicate that the market ! is firm and likely to remain on a steady i basis until the forecast of the coming jute crop is known—approximately Sep- j tember next.