Grocery Review

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 562, 15 January 1929, Page 10

Grocery Review

THE SUN Office, January 15. There has been considerable improvement in the wholesale trade during’the last few days, town and suburban orders coming to hand in good volume, but business from country districts is somewhat disappointing. However, it is expected that the orders which are being booked this week for delivery on the 25th inst. will be quite up to the average. THERE has been an exceptionally keen demand for coarse salt during the past fortnight, chiefly for mixing with the hay. and stocks are now very low, but a further shipment by the Cornwall, due this week, will relieve the position. Included in the list of goods which arrived last week were the final shipments of the present pack of Australian canned fruits, and no doubt owing to the warmer weather the demand lias been very heavy. CANNED FRUITS Prices for the new crop of Australian canned fruits, which include peaches, apricots and pears, have now been cabled by the Fruit Control Board. Contrary to the general opinion, these are all on a lower scale than last year’s fruit, and it would appear that more attention will be paid to the Australian packs than last year, when prices were in favour of Californian grades. Australian peaches, both halves and slices, hold the demand here, but South African apricots, owing to their excellent quality and a slight advantage in price, have been selling very freely. As regards pears, at the new’ season’s prices, it seems evident that importations from both Australia and California will be eliminated this season, as the New Zealand-grown and packed Bartlett pear is considered better quality, besides being cored and having the centre stalks removed. In comparison with the landed costs of Australian canned fruits of last season, this year's figures show a saving of approximately 4d a dozen in apricots, Gd in peaches, and 9d in pears. GINGER Since the opening prices for new season’s raw ginger were first named in October last, there has been a phenomenal rise in the price, to-day’s rates for March-April shipment being £l2 a ton higher, with a very firm market ruling. RICE Quotations have just been announced for Rangoon rice for shipment by the March-April steamer, and these are just a shade higher than last year’s prices. This is the shipment that merchants rely on for their heaviest requirements owing to the rice arriving in the winter months, when it is not so susceptible to weevil, and as Australian dressed rice has just been advanced by £2 a ton. the bookings of Rangoon are expected to be on a very large scale. PINEAPPLES The December steamer from Singapore will be late this month as she is not making Auckland her first port of call, which is usually the case. As several grades of canned pineapples are very short locally, the arrival of further supplies by this vessel is anxiously awaited. There has been a slight reduction in 21b. and 2llb. slices for March-April shipment, and the exceptionally low levels which have been reached in I ilb. cubes of second quality have resulted in a considerable amount of business going forward. First-grade cubes and slices in IMb. tins continue on a very favourable basis, and latest advices from Singapore indicate that there will be a heavy pack this season. PEPPER Quotations for all kinds of pepper remain very steady, with the statistical position as strofig as ever. It is reported that stocks in London and elsewhere are extremely light, and it is expected that even a small demand would again force prices to a high level. The importations to this market were heavy during the latter half of 1928, but only limited quantities will arrive by the Waiotapu at the end of the month. SPICES Although the Christmas demand for both nutmegs and mace is now over, the market in Singapore remains firm as it is reported that supplies are not coming to hand as freely as was anticipated. Cloves have again advanced, with every likelihood of prices remaining high for the. next nine months until the new crop is ready. Pimento is dearer than it has been for years, and judging by present indications it will soon be difficult to obtain supplies. TAPIOCA The market for all kinds of tapioca has shown an easier tendency during the past week, and to-day’s prices are lower than they have been for nearly 12 months. This has had the effect of a considerable amount of business being placed for shipment by the March-April direct steamer. Supplies on spot at present are very short, but these will be replenished on the arrival of the December steamer at the end of this month. BEANS Prices for new season’s hand-picked haricot beans are now advised, and compared with the opening quotations of last season, represent an advance of nearly 50 per cent. With the very high rates also ruling for Madagascar lima beans, no doubt there will be heavy importations of haricots, which are considerably cheaper than limas, although not of such good quality. COFFEE The world’s markets for coffee, taken all round, are now on a much higher scale, coffees from all countries, including Brazil, Arabia, India and Java being quoted at advanced rates. New crop Mysore and Neilgherry grades are being listed by Mangalore shippers for Febru-ary-March shipment at approximately £lO a ton above the figures ruling at this period last year. Java Robusta quality has been quoted of late, on a gradually rising market, the price advancing steadily at regular intervals, and to-day’s rates are much higher than was the case six months ago. The latest rise notified last week was £2 a ton .or January-Feb-juary shipment. According tc most recent quotations received Mocha and Costa Rica types are also firmer in price, although offers for the new crop have not yet been made. As all indications point to further advances on all grades of coffees, considerable interest in supplies for next winter’s demand is being shown and forward bookings include business booked up to March next. HARDWARE Prices for both resin and turpentine remain steady at late rates; the market for both brass and copper has firmed, an all-round advance of £2 a ton being advised for prompt shipment.

N.Z. REFRIGERATING COY

DIVIDEND OF 5 PER CENT. Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, Monday. The annual report of the New Zealand Refrigerating Company, Ltd., shows balance available for appropriation of £76,260 ISs Id, which the director's recommend should be disposed of as follows:—Pay a dividend of 5 per cent., absorbing £31,815 10s, and carry balance forward amounting to £44,445 8s Id. The company made a remarkable recovery in 1927, showing a net profit of £60,589, compared with £4.691 in 1926. Last year a dividend cf 5 per cent., plus a per cent, bonus, was paid out to shareholders. No dividend was paid for 1926, but for 1923, 1924 and 1925 shareholders received a steady per cent. CHICAGO WHEAT MARKET (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) Reed. 11.6 a.m. CHICAGO, Monday. Wheat.—March, 1 dollar 191 cents a bushel; May, 1 dollar 12 7-S cents; July. 1 dollar 24 1-8 cents.

MINING NEWS

LUCKY SHOT.—The manager reports: “During the past week the new rails have been completed into the face of the low level. A contract has been let for driving the face ahead 80ft to connect with No. 1 winze, and the sinking of No. 1 winze will be proceeded with to connect up with the low level.”