Grocery Review

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 516, 20 November 1928, Page 12

Grocery Review

The Sun Office, November 20, 1928. Business generally was much quieter last week, this being due mainly to the election and also to a reluctance on the part of the retailers to book anything but actual necessities before November 25. Trade is now much better, as deliveries for next month’s account can be made at the end of the week and orders to hand so far are exceptionally good. THE list of goods arriving within the next week or two includes many Christmas lines which are anxiously awaited, and in which some heavy forward business has been booked. The Port Wellington due to-day is carrying shipments of new season’s Spanish muscatels, and the first shipments of new Smyrna figs are expected to arrive by the Marama from Sydney, together with many other transhipment orders. The Kairanga from Melbourne is bringing further supplies of Australian currants, sultanas, canned fruits, macaroni, etc., while early next week two steamers are due to arrive from San Francisco bringing Christmas fruits, which include Californian muscatels, figs, raisins and prunes. Further supplies of English lines landed last week include cream of tartar, custard powder, whiting and a. variety of Crosse and Blackwell’s goods. ACIDS During the last three months. the market for citric acid has been steadily advancing, English makes being almost Is a lb higher than formerly, while stocks of Italian manufacture were so small that quotations to his market were withdrawn. Cables from London shippers now advise a reduction of 6d a lb in English makes for prompt shipment, but no information is yet to hand as to the future prospects of the market. CREAM OF TARTAR Information from London this -week was to the effect that higher prices were to be expected during the next few weeks for English cream of tartar, and advised buyers to cover for their requirements immediately. SARDINES The earlier information that., supplies of Norwegian smoked brisling were very short this year and that practically no supplies would be available, has been confirmed from all sources of supply and any stocks held locally are moving off freely at advanced rates. Further cables from Norwegian packers of smoked sild advise that there has been a good catch of sild this year and the market is slightly easier for the new pack. In the face of the earlier ‘ advices on the sild position wherein it was stated that higher prices were almost cerain to rule, this latest phase of the market is rather difficult to follow and further details are anxiously awaited. PEANUTS Java kernels are again in short supply locally, but the position will be relieved on arrival of the Sydney steamer to-day, as another shipment from Cheribon is due by this vessel. On further business being submitted at previous rates, shippers were unable to accept for prompt shipment owing to the shortage of supplies from producing centres, and business could only be booked for December shipment. CLOVES The short crop of Zanzibar cloves is having a strong effect on prices for prompt shipment, as quotations received last week were l|d a lb above previous offers. Limited quantities have been offering ex London stocks at slightly cheaper rates, but as these supplies are now almost exhausted, prices will no doubt be much higher before the end of the year. ALMONDS F. G. Sicily almonds declined again this week, prices for prompt and forward shipment being £5 a ton lower than last week. The first shipment of new season’s almonds will be here in a few weeks’ time, and as these were bought on a very low market, some attractive prices are now on offer. Little interest is being shown m present indent quotations as these are expected to be still lower before long. DATES Prices for new season’s dates are still advancing, and advices from London state that this is due partly to the small crop and also to the fact that much heavier shipments are being made to America this year. The shortage of stocks on the local market will not be relieved until the arrival of the new season’s early in December. DRIED FRUITS Shipments of nearly all the various grades of new season's dried fruits are due to arrive during the next two or three weeks. CURRANTS Although quotations for Australian varieties are now withdrawn, there are still some uncompleted orders to be executed. Considerable interest. has been shown during the week in offers for cleaned Amalias and Patras currants, prices of which are very firm, with an early advance probable. RAISINS Supplies of Australian sultanas are due to-day, and as all descriptions of Californian raisins will be here shortly, quantities will be ample for the Christmas trade. Both California and Spanish muscatels are now due, but practically the whole of these shipments have been sold ex wharf. FIGS Further supplies of Californian figs are expected next week, also all sizes arid grades of Smyrna qualities. Cables from London shippers state that stocks of figs in 71b. bags are now almost exhausted, and prices have advanced about 10s a cwt. APPLES No stocks of local dried apples are now available on this market, and quotations for Canadian apples have been withdrawn Merchants will have to rely on California packings, prices of which are favourable, but are subject to a heavy import duty. Notwithstanding this, a fair amount of business has been booked in California extra choice * slices for prompt shipment from San Francisco. GUM ARABIC Prices for cleaned and sifted Kordofan Gum Arabic have remained steady for some time, but quotations just cabled for January shipment represent an advance of £2 a ton on previous prices. CASTOR OIL Cables from Calcutta on November 16 show that castor oil prices continue firm, Australian thirds packed in half cases now being quoted at 3d a gallon above the c.i.f. rate of a week ago. Present price is for shipment in November-De cember only. SHELLAC Contrary to expectations, the market for shellac is showing a little more firmness A.B.T.N. quality is now listed for the next direct steamer at an advance of id a lb. above previous rates. KAPOK After remaining dull and stationary for some time, the market for kapok appears j to have definitely reached a higher level. Agents for one of the principal shippers from Samarang advise receipt of a cable increasing the price of Prime S quality by 5-Sd a lb. for either prompt or Decem-ber-January delivery*