Grocery Review

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 360, 22 May 1928, Page 12

Grocery Review

THE SUN Office, May 22, 1928. Although trade has been quiet for some time, merchants were very busy during the latter part of last week, and so far this week shows no slackening in the volume of orders coming to hand. THE main reason for the improvement was the arrival of the Sussex from Eastern ports with some fair-sized parcels of foodstuffs which were urgently wanted. These included haricot beans and lentils from Calcutta, sago and tapioca from Penang and Singapore, and all grades of peppers and spices from Singapore, besides a large quantity of canned pineapples. As considerable business had been done with the retail for delivery ex the ship, this has resulted in a saving in handling charges which is so necessary in order to be in the best position to compete for the business. CANDLES A reduction of a lb in the prices of all lines of local and imported candles has now been notified, and as this is the period of the year when demand is greatest, the lower rate is of most interest to those in country districts and also those living in areas not supplied by electricity or gas. JAMS A new line just introduced to this market is a seedless raspberry jam packed by one of the local manufacturers. As this packing is only about Id a lb above the price of the ordinary grade, it is anticipated that sales will be considerable. CLOVES Further shipments of Zanzibar cloves are just to hand, and as supplies were short on spot, merchants were able to supply orders which had been held up for some time. An advance of a lb is notified ili indent rates for prompt slvy- i ment. but buyers are now chiefly imtc ested in offers for shipment later in the • PEPPER As prices have reached such a high level, little buying has been done for some months, and the arrivals by the. Sussex were the smallest that have been landed for some time. If anything, quotations are a little firmer this week, but some agents are unable to offer at all in the meantime. The future position is being anxiously considered. 3 AN G Haricot beans are selling very freely at present and the shipments which arrived last week are being rapidly depleted. The same applies to Madagascar butter-beans, but as further supplies are expected about the end of next month, these should be ample for the winter trades, Following on a recently - advised reduction of 3s 6d a cwt, cables have been received advising a further fall of Is a cwt for June shipment from London. CANNED FRUITS Indications point to supplies of Californian canned fruits being in short supply as far as export to the Dominion is concerned. This has had a stimulating effect on the demand for Australian, but business recently sent up to one of the principal canners in Melbourne could not be accepted in full, as there are no supplies now available in apricots, both standard and second grades, also second quality sliced peaches. The shipments of All Gold Apricots from South Africa are meeting with a ready sale, but here again it is difficult to obtain further quantities. PINEAPPLES The Sussex brought considerable quantities of all sizes of Singapore packs, and although sales are satisfactory the colder weather tends to decrease the demand. Indent quotations for JulyAugust shipment continue to weaken, but although merchants have already ordered fair quantities, there are still some large orders to be placed, and it is expected that the next direct steamer will carry one of the largest shipments of pineapples ever brought to the Dominion. TOMATO SAUCE Following on a reduction of 3s a dozen bottles, one well-known manufacturer of real tomato advises a further reduction of 2s a dozen bottles. This refers to quart size. RAISINS The market for the present crop of both oil and soda-bleached raisins for prompt shipment remains firm, as it is slated that stocks in California are now being rapidly depleted. Although definite quotations for the new crop of Thompson’s seedless unbleached raisins have not yet been announced, it is stated that one outside shipper is prepared to book orders at the price now ruling for the present crop. As it is yet too early to form an opinion of tin; crops that will be harvested or the quality of the fruit, little interest is being shown in this market. at present, as buyers have had rather a bad experience of early buying during the past two years. ALMONDS Prices for both present and new crop of P.G. Sicily almonds continue to rise, and further to the sharp advances notified during the past two weeks another £ls a ton has now to be added, making a total of £35 a ton since the opening rates were announced. Cable advice from London states that the market is excited and still higher rates are likely, but up to the present no information is to hand as to the reason for the rise, and further news is anxiously awaited, as most buyers failed to cover for their requirements at the opening rates. Jordan almonds have advanced 5s a ’cwt this week for September shipment with a firm market in evidence. COCONUT OIL Latest advice from Colombo shows that prices remain firm, an advance of Is a cwt having been recorded during the last, few weeks. This applies to pure refined white oil, but no doubt the lower grades will be correspondingly dearer. RESI N Cables notify an advance of about 15s a ton for both G and N grades of American resin for prompt shipment.