Grocery Review

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 540, 18 December 1928, Page 12

Grocery Review

The Sun Office, December 18, 1925. Wholesale grocery houses are ir\ the midst of an exceptionally busy period. THERE is a distinct shortage in many -*■ of the Christmas lines, and those who did not place their orders early are having a difficulty .in obtaining supplies. Forward bookings were very light this year, and this had the effect of merchants’ indents being somewhat smaller than usual. The Marama, arriving from Sydney to-day, is bringing the balance of the new season’s Spanish muscatels, also the first of the dates, which are very urgently required; but there will be little time available for distribution to country districts. The Sugar Company advises that 71b tins of its golden syrup and treacle are now being packed in cartons containing six tins, at the same price as in eases. A reduction of 3d a lb in the price of a well-known brand of locallypacked tea has just been announced, also a sharp advance in local preserved ginger. Prices just declared for new season’s K green peas for forward delivery are Is a dozen below the opening prices of last season—these packers also advise that they an packing a No. 1 tin, which should meet with a popular demand from the small householder. ALMONDS

The market for P.G. Sicily almonds is slightly easier for prompt shipment, prices being about 2s 6d a cwt below the previous rates for new seasons’ supplies. As the result of the more favourable offers, further business has been booked with Palermo shippers. GROUND ALMONDS Quotations from London shippers of ground almonds have been on an exceptionally high basis for some time, but with the lower rates now ruling for Sicily almonds, prices of the ground article now show an all-round reduction of over £3O a ton. PEANUTS The keen demand for Java peanut kernels is being maintained, and as supplies have been hard to locate in Java (the. first crop having been all sold), further shipment could not be offered until December. In the meantime the local market is likely to be short. The c.i.f. ! price for January shipment remains unaltered, and a considerable amount of business has been placed at ruling rates. CHERRIES Slightly easier quotations for French crystallised and drained cherries were cabled last week, and a considerable amount of business has been booked for prompt and forward shipment. Although stock locally are very short, the strong demand still continues. CANNED FRUITS All grades of canned fruits are meeting with a ready sale, but stocks of sliced peaches are almost exhausted. On account of the favourable prices on offer ! sales of Singapore pineapples are much greater than usual, and all availablestocks will be cleared before the arrival | of the direct steamer in January. SARDIN ES Some attractive offers for winter pack smoked Norwegian sild have been made j for shipment spread to next June. The latest cabled information just to hand I states prices are likely to advance con- ' siderably before long, as there is a very I short catch, and the packers are combinj ing in an endeavour to obtain reasonable I value for the quantities available. j FIGS

There has been a strong demand for all grades of Smyrna figs this year, and it is anticipated that all stocks now on hand will be cleared before the end of this week. Cables from London shippers indicate that supplies of good quality cooking figs in 71b and 281 b bags are now very short, and prices have advanced accordingly. ISINGLASS

Shippers from Kobe have been unable to offer Agar Agar (isingless) for some time, but have now cabled that shipment can be made in January, and quote the No. 2 quality at prices slightly below the average ruling rate of a few months ago. BEANS Stocks of both haricot and Madagascar lima beans are very short locally and prices have advanced considerably. It is stated that owing to the failure of the bean crop in Madagascar there will be a serious shortage of supplies this season, and quotations just to hand for I January-February shipment from London represent an advance of over £1.2 a ton on last year’s opening prices. The crops of haricot beans and Californian beans J were also very short this year, conse- , } quently, even at the high rates ruling ! to-day for Madagascar quality, prices ; are expected to rule still higher before - long. RICE Quotations for No. 1 Australian dressed Japanese rice have advanced £2 a ton, and it is stated that the lower prices which have ruled during the past six months have not been warranted, bui were necessary to meet the keen competition of the Rangoon article, quotations for which have also been advanced. As regards California types, prices for ° long-grain Mexican rice have been with- - drawn owing to supplies being exhausted, “ but favourable offers are still being ' made for fancy coated California Japan % quality, which is at present being offered at the lowest price for some years. ,f OLIVE OIL e The information to hand from all proit during centres leads to the belief that r the new crops of olives are satisfactory, cl and that lower prices will rule when d Quotations are named in January next. , r Production will be at its highest in the !9 above month, and reports of the French s crop are to the effect that the olives are d of exceptionally good appearance, cone sequently the quality will be of the highest grade. Prices for present crop oils i- remain unchanged, but firm. - KAPOK A e Following the recent firming in the market for kapok, more recent cables " from Samarang advise another advance to the extent of a half-pennv a lb for E either prompt or forward shipment. y SHELLAC a Quotations held very firm right up to r l! ie sailing of the Calcutta steamer, and _ the usual amount of business was transit ucted for this opportunity. Prices averd aged a little higher than the previous _ current rates, as the market has been S a ® lowl >’ rising one for some weeks past, h SYDNEY WOOL SALES l j MARKET REMAINS FIRM j (United P.A.—By Telegraph Copyright) - j SYDNEY, Monday. y | The wool sales were resumed. The I i demand for free, well-grown wools was ' well maintained. Lines showing special ~ fineness were keenly competed for, prin- *’ cipally by the French buyers. The market generally 'was very firm at the closing rates of the last series. Greasy Merino sold to 40d. The bales | sold totalled 11.555. MINING NEWS LUCKY SHOT.—The manager reports: 'ln the drive south of the bottom of No. 1 winze we have been timbering to make | ready for sinking to connect with the j low level. Therefore no quarCZ has t been broken from the reef. In the i low level the work of timbering up to j the face is proceeding satisfactorily. As : soon as the face is reached 1 will call | tenders for driving on contrac t to con- • I meet with No. 1 winze. The distance is ** l about 80it.'* n