Grocery Review

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 616, 19 March 1929, Page 12

Grocery Review

The Sun Office, March 19. Business has been much quieter during the past week, but wholesale houses have been busy preparing for stocktaking at the end of the month. Orders for delivery on March 25 are now coming to hand, and it is anticipated that there will be a big improvement in trade before the Easter holidays. SEVERAL price alterations have been made in Heinz goods lately, and ; the latest shipment of Holbrook’s j sauce just to hand show advances in the landed cost of approximately Is a j dozen in all sizes. The first shipment of the new crop of Madagascar butter beans came to hand by the Mataroa, and a keen demand is expected. Othei welcome arrivals during the past few days include shipments of crystallised cherries, sardines, dates, Jordan almonds, Sicily almonds, and South African apricots. The Waihemo, due from San Francisco, is carrying further quantities of raisins and prunes. The Kaituna, now loading in Melbourne, will bring forward the first of the Australian currants and sultanas as well as fresh supplies of Australian canned peaches and apricots. ANGELICA

Information from London shippers is to the effect that supplies of French crystallised angelica are very short ana difficult to obtain. Only very limited quantities can be offered at prices over 4d a lb above last season’s quotations. CH ERRI ES Prices have just been named for new season’s French whole-drained cherries for September shipment, and these ai'e again on a fairly high basis, although somewhat below the present ruling rates for prompt delivery. ALMONDS New season’s Jordan almonds are being quoted for both August and September shipments from Spain, the former being 3 a ton higher than for the later delivery. The market is reported to be very firm at present, and increased rates can be expected before long. New season’s sweet Sicily almonds have again been reduced in price for September shipment, the latest cabled quotation showing a decline of £7 10s a ton. Prices for the p.-esent crop have been reduced by about £2 10s a ton. Soft shell almonds for September shipment, which were reduced £4 a ton some weeks ago, are now stated to be firming with an early advance probable. NUTS Quotations for new season's Para Brazil nuts have been reduced by £1 a ton for shipment in July, present quotations being lower than has been the case for some years. Barcelona nuts and Chinese peanuts remain Arm at previously advised rates with higher prices probable.

DATES Cables from 'London shippers advise that stocks of stoned Khadrawi dates are now getting very low and quotations have been advanced 11s a cwt. Good stocks of all grades are held locally, but the demand is now improving, and as prices remain very unfavourable, sales are expected to be heavy during the next three or four months. EASTERN GOODS

Both sago and tapioca are quoted on a steady market this week, with a fractional reduction in sago ot' lid a cwt. Mace and nutmegs show little alteration from last week’s quotations, but cloves are still dear, with supplies short. Canned pineapples are slightly easier, both first and second grade cubes having declined 3d a dozen for delivery ex the April and August direct steamers. PEPPER

A limited quantity of Singapore pepper was offered last week at prices which represent a decline of Id a lb, but as the market is still considered to be too high, buyers are not operating meantime. SARDINES Quotations for Norwegian smoked sild are now considerably above previous rates, and indications point to higher prices being asked before the season is far advanced. As most buyers had covered for the greater portion of their requirements before the higher prices were quoted, the higher rates will not be reflected in the present selling prices to the retail trade.

MUTTON BIRDS Advices from Tasmania are to the effect that the opening rates for the new season’s catch are not expected to be lower than last year. As sellers are prepared to book with a fall clause, considerable quantities have already been booked for spread delivery. Quotations for Stewart Island birds are about on a par with last season’s prices, but most of the demand is for the Tasmanian article owing to these being so much lower in price.

PRUN ES Further infoimation regarding the stocks ot' prunes in California states that the tonnage available for export is surprisingly sjuall compared with other years, particularly as there are now no stocks left in Oregon, Washington and Yugoslavia. Reports from the most important markets in Europe indicate that supplies in the hands of the importers and dealers are so limited that considerable quantities will have to be imported before the 1929 crop is ready. Although some shippers to this market were forced to withdraw their quotations and later on offer at advanced rates, one of the largest packers and exporters is still able to quote at previously ruling rates, with a slight increase being asked for July and August shipments. RAISINS The surplus of bleached raisins left in California is limited, but there has not been a heavy demand for supplies. There is still a keen demand locally for golden bleached raisins, which are being offered at favourable rates, and these have, to a certain extent, taken the place of oil and soda bleached varieties. COPPER AND BRASS The market for copper and brass is now ruling higher than for some years, and advice of further advances has been received during the past week, representing a total increase of £S a ton. GUM ARABIC I Cables from London shippers notifly further advances in the price of the new crop gum, the market having advanced SOs a ton for March shipment. This brings the ruling price to-day to over £7 j a ton above the opening rates for the new crop. j BLUESTONE | Quotations for Macclesfield bluestone | continue to fluctuate, the latest alteration j being a reduction of 12s 6d a ton for prompt delivery. R ESIN Both G and X grades of American resin ! are cheaper this week, prices for prompt j shipment having declined 10s a ton re- ; spectively. LONDON WOOL SALES MARKET REMAINS FIRM (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) Reed. 10.30 a.m. LONDON, Monday. At the wool sales, 9,214 bales were offered, of which 4,504 were New Zealand. There was a medium-sized offering of greasy Merinos, chiefly of good style, and an excellent selection of greasy crossbreds. The market was firm and I prices were maintained. New Zealand: ! Tuatane, lSd top price, 17Jd average | Putiti, IT-'rd: Tnkemokihi, 21d, ISid | Riverina, 17id, 16id.