Grocery Review

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 354, 15 May 1928, Page 12

Grocery Review

THE SUN Office, May 15, 1928. Business during the past week has been much quieter, orders from both town and country districts showing a distinct falling-off on those of the previous week. Merchants report that a busy time is expected for May 25 deliveries, as orders already in hand for delivery at that period are very satisfactory, especially from country stores. The next two months being the quiet season with the dairy farmers, it is anticipated that many will visit the city, and a general improvement in all classes of trade should result. A MONO the arrivals this week are further shipments of bulk cocoa, which, owing - to the colder weather, is in strong demand. Supplies of Creamota are short until the arrival from South about May, while loose pack dates are now practically unprocurable locally, although supplies ex stocks held in Sydney are still available. SULTANAS The Control Board has cabled its agents to withdraw offers of plain sultans for forward shipment, owing to the uncertainty of the supplies' available, a-fid the quantity yet to be harvested. Orders can still be sent to Melbourne for prompt shipment at the ruling rate, but can only be taken subject to confirmation. Californian unbleached and oilbreached sultanas have advanced a further Is a cwt. for prompt and forward shipment, with still higher prices expected. Owing to this fruit being considerably below the prices being asked for Mildura sultanas, considerable business has been put through during this month for shipment up to July next. CURRANTS Advice has been received that no further supplies of Australian four crown quality are available for export to this Dominion this season, and it is anticipated that considerable attention will be paid to Amalia and Patras grades as soon as definite prices are named by London shippers. LENTILS Indian lentils are now being offered for shipment by next direct steamer from Calcutta at an advance of £2 10s a ton above the rates quoted for the last steamer, shipments of which are due today by the Sussex. These shipments are being anxiously awaited, as stocks are light at present, and the demand is increasing steadily as the weather becomes colder. PEANUTS Quotations for the new season's Java peanut kernels for shipment m August have now -been named, shippers statin" that it is unsafe to ship earlier as Quality would not be reliable. Compared whh the average ruling price covering list year's business the P™efiow hated shows an advance of about 30s a ton. WALNUT HALVES Favourable prices are on offer for French halves, and also French yellow halves. As this is the last month that shipment can be made with an all risks” insurance cover, considerable business has been booked by the local merchants, who are not prepard to buy unless they are fully insured, owing to some bitter experiences in the past. MUTTON BIRDS Although the first arrivals of the new season’s catch of Tasmanian mutton birds came in at the slightly reduced price notified, advice has now been received that the balance of the orders placed will be executed at the original opening rate. The season in Tasmania has now closed, and is a very short one, it being estimated to be 400 casks lighter than last year, and the market in Launceston has advanced 2s 6d a hundred above the export rate to New Zealand, with a good demand from Home buyers. Business booked locally was not heavy this year; consequently it is probable that supplies will be short before the end of the season, and this may have the effect of further orders being placed for the Steware Island cooked birds. SEEDED RAISINS The demand for all grades of raisins is now increasing, and the low prices on offer for seeded in cartons have resulted in considerable business being done by the merchants. Quotations for freshlyseeded raisins for July-August shipment now to hand are having the full attention of buyers this week, as it is anticipated that prices for new season’s raisins for October shipment will be considerably above to-day’s rates. DATES Supplies of loose pack Khadrawi dates are now sold out in London, but stoned quality are again being offered for JuneJuly shipment at slightly higher rates than formerly, with only a limited quantity available. Sairs have advanced a further Is a cwt. for prompt shipments, while cartons, which are also in short supply at Home, have advanced 3d a dozen. Prices for new pack dates for October direct shipment via Australia will not be named for some weeks yet, and the local market is expected to be short before these come to hand. ALMONDS A further advance of £lO a ton is advised for new Sicily almonds for September shipment, this making a total increase of over £2O a ton since the opening prices were quoted. A little business has already been done, but at the rates ruling to-day buyers are not interested, as it is thought that lower offers will be made later on. when more definite information of the prospect of the crop is available. Jordan almonds continue firm with some shippers asking 3s a cwt. more than the ruling rate if shipment is made by mail steamer from Marseilles, although others are making shipment via London. Supplies are due to arrive here in November in good time for the Christmas trade. PEPPER A still firmer market is in evidence although it is stated that prices are only nominal, so there are practically no stocks available in Singapore for immediate shipment. The Sussex is bringing further supplies to this market, birt onlv limited quantities are being imported as merchants were holding- off buying, trustmg that prices would ease, instead of which a steady increase has been notified each week. APPLE MARKET EASIER THREE * SHIPS TOGETHER I United P.A. — By Telegraph Copyright) (Australian Press Association.) Reed. 3.11 a.m. LONDON, Monday. The apple market at Hamburg is easier owing- to the arrival of three steamers hSff 'wtl^^old o-000 CaSeS> ° f WhiCh The Otira’s and Port Brisbane's Victorian Cleopatras made 11s to 15s fidJonathans, Ss to 12s 6d; Dunn's 10s to los; Rymer’s, 9s 6d to 11s 6d. ’ South Australian Cleopatras, 12s to 16sDunn's, 11s to 16s; Jonathans, 9s to 12s'. West Australian Cleopatras, 11s to -’ll 6d; Jonathans, 9s to 12s; Dunn's 11s to 13s 6d. West Australian Pears.—Boxes Josephines, 11s to 16s 6d; Vicars, 6s to 10s: Keiffers (wasty), 2s to 7s; Winter Xelis, 12s to 16s; Broome Park, 10s to 12s; Gloutmorceau, 15s to 16s. Rotorua's New Zealand Pears.—Trays Josephines. 5s to 6s 6d: Winter Cole. 2s 6d to 3s; "Winter Nelis, 3s to 6s; Barry’s. 3s to 4s. Oronsay’s Victorian and New South Wales Trays.—6s to 7s 6d; Boses, 6s: Barry’s half-boxes, 6s to 7s. Comorin's Tasmanian Apples.—Cox's. Ss 3d to 12s: New Yorks, 10s to 12s; French Crabs. Ss 3d to 10s 6d: Alfristons, 0s to 10s 6d; others, 7s 6d to 9s 6d.