Grocery Review

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 337, 24 April 1928, Page 14

Grocery Review

The Sun Office, April 24, 1928. Trade generally continued to be quiet all last week, but this week has seen a decided improvement, due mainly to the usual rush of orders for delivery on the 25th of the month and charged into next month’s account. THE change to colder weather has caused a much stronger demand for all breakfast foods, and increased inquiry for hams and bacon is also in evidence. The arrival of the first shipments of the new crop of Madagascar lima beans was most welcome to merchants, as supplies were almost exhausted. As considerable bookings had been made to the retail trade, a good portion of the shipment was delivered direct from the wharf, and is meeting with a ready sale. PEPPER AND SPICES The Sussex was due to leave Singapore last week, and those merchants who have not covered for their requirements of pepper and spices will be forced to bring their supplies via Australia, or wait until the next steamer sails in August. The market for pepper is still very firm, and although one reliable shipper is offering at prices a shade less than the previous week, another agent has received cable, advice' that quotations are now only nominal as no supplies are available. Nutmegs and mace continue to show’- fractional reductions, with little business at the moment. BACON The market for both bacon and hams is very firm, and the former is now 3d a lb higher than it was three weeks ago. As the demand is steadily increasing and the price of pigs is very high, it would appear that there is no chance of lower prices ruling for some considerable time. OLIVE OIL A well-known packer of French olive oil in four and eight ounce bottles advises a reduction of Is and Is 9d a dozen respectively. Prices for half-gallon and one-gallon tins are unaltered, and it is unlikely that any change will take place in these sizes at present, as the French market for forward shipment is strong, although Spanish packings are offered at reduced prices. CALCUTTA GOODS Quotations are now being named for the various lines shipped from the above port for July-August sailing. Lentils are quoted at 10s a ton above the price ruling for the steamer which has just sailed. Castor oil remains at the last price basis. Supplies of shellac are now being offered for either prompt shipment, via Australia, or by the July-August direct steamer at about 2£d a lb above the price ruling before the sailing of the April steamer, while all heavy jute lines such as corn sacks and wool packs are quoted at favourable rates, with a slight advance *in wool packs just having been advised. COCONUT Cables received from Colombo ‘last week notified a further reduction of Is a cwt for prompt shipment, and it is evident that supplies, which were somewhat short on account of some of the factories working intermittently. are now coming to hand more freely. MUTTON BIRDS

A reduction of Is 6d a 100 is advised for new season’s Tasmanian birds for spread shipment from April to November next, but as original orders were booked with a fall clause, merchants will receive the benefit of the lower rates. The first shipments are due to aiFive about the end of this month. Prices have also been named for cooked and salted mutton birds in kits from Stewart Island, but there is only a limited ti'ade done in these, as. prices are considerably above the Tasmanian article.

| GUM ARABIC The market for cleaned and sifted j Kordofan gum has been slightly easier , during the past few months and cables - received last week notify a further reduc- . tion of 10s a ton for May-June shipment. ’ TEA > Last week the market in l opened firm for common kinds, but better , teas were weak. Finest grades were l easier on account of the quality becoming inferior. A heavy sale is advised for this week, a total of 3,500,0001 b being offered. ) TARTARIC ACID . ) An advance of £d a lb is advised for ) both English and Italian tartaric acid, ) this representing a total rise of over 2d - a lb since the beginning of the year. 5 It is stated that the peak has not been [ reached and further advances are r probable during the next few months, as the demand in England and the Continent during their summer months is usually very heavy, and present supplies are limited. WALNUT HALVES Considerable business was done some months ago in French walnut halves, but as no special insurance against grub and mildew could be secured, shipment had to be made in cool storage. Supplies just to hand have arrived in splendid ; condition, and as quality is reported to be first-class, they are selling - verv - freely to the retail trade. The indent ■ market for both prompt and forward shipment continues on a very firm level with higher prices anticipated. ’ DATES i Supplies in London are now getting * very low, and although there are still : shipments to be made to this market it I would appear that any further offers must come from Sydney, as it is stated that heavy stocks are still available in Australia. Cartons are also in very short supply and it is anticipated that stocks will all be sold before the new crop is available in November next. ALMONDS Favourable prices are now being quoted for present crop Sicily almonds for spread shipment up to November next Nothing definite can be gathered from the quotations for new crop for shipment in September, as the market is fluctuating, and it will probably be some weeks before anything definite can be learned as to the rate at which London snippers are prepared to accept business. CHICAGO WHEAT (bnited P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian Press Association) Reed. 9.5 a.m. CHICAGO, Monday. —May, 1 dollar 54 \ cents a bushei; July, l dollar 55 cents; September, 1 dollar 51 3-S cents. MINING NEWS KUR UN U I. —The manager repoi'ls:— “The drive on reef in the Lennox crosscut has been extended 14 feet for the week. The country passed through is of a very poor description, with very little quartz showing in the face. The Ross intermediate level has been cleaned cut and rails laid for a further 185 feet, which brings us to the face and we can now start erosscutting east any time.”