Trade in Produce

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 363, 25 May 1928, Page 12

Trade in Produce

MARKETS REVIEWED AMPLE POTATO STOCKS MAY 25, 9 a.m. A decidedly firmer tone is registered in the onion market, and spot values should gradually advance from now on until the arrival of supplies from Japan early in August. Pollard is still in short supply with New Zealand millers unable to cope with the demand. The anxiety felt in some quarters last week-end regarding the possibility of a potato shortage towards the end of this week as a result of the nonarrival of Southern produce boats was not justified by results. Stocks held out well and consignments are due to come to hand over the week-end. Next Week’s Arrivals The Kurow with a. reported cargo of 3,200 sacks of potatoes for this port arrives on Sunday. The Waikouaiti, with up to 6,000 sacks of potatoes on board, is also scheduled to be discharging at the wharf on Monday. The Waipiata left Timaru yesterday for Auckland, via Lyttelton and Wellington. The Wingatui, from Picton and Wellington, is due here about Tuesday. During the week quotations have ranged up to £S, through store, for best quality tubers, but a slightly easier .one can be expected next week, when values should range from £7 10s to £7 15s through store. An attempt was made in the South during the week to lift the market, but little success was met with. The forward market has a firm tone. Onion Market Advancing The onion market has been causing concern lately. Prices in the South have advanced appreciably over the past fortnight, and indications are that supplies from that quarter will soon be exhausted. Reports to hand from Melbourne indicate that there will be no available surplus for export there this season; thus Auckland merchants will have to rely on stocks still held in the Pukekolie district to carry them over the next two months. Japanese onions will, of course, arrive in August, and merchants are also looking for prices for American onions to carry them over September, October and November: Indications are that the market will advance sharply over the next month to culminate at the level made by the Japanese shipments, which have been booked to sell on arrival at up to 19s a crate. At the moment best Southern on tho spot are selling through store up to 12s a cwt. Pukekohe make up to 14s. Maize Market In Good Tone A healthy tone is registered in the maize market with a stronger demand from poultry feeders. Merchants as a result have been able to clear old holdings. A fair quantity of the golden cereal has been arriving from the Bay of Plenty and Gisborne over the week, the best quality Bay maize making to 6s Id on the wharf. The Gisborne cereal lias made up to 6s 3d. Indications are that values will get even higher before the new season’s maize comes on the market. Gisborne sellers are mostly holding for more at the moment. The market for fowl wheat remains fairly stationary, quotations through store on the spot ranging up to 7s 9d. Pollard remains scarce, and New Zealand millers are unable to cope with the demand at the moment. Small consignments are coming forward from Australia with every boat. Quotations from Adelaide were reduced during the week, but it will be three or four weeks before this can be taken advantage of on the Auckland market. Quotations through store range around £ll 6s for pollard and £S 10s for bran. The market for oats and chaff allows opportunity for little comment. Prices are practically stationary, with a slightly easier tone in oats, indicating that the market for this cereal has reached peak for the time being.