POTATO MARKET QUIET

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 654, 4 May 1929, Page 12

POTATO MARKET QUIET

POSITION IN CANTERBURY Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, Friday. Interest is largely centred on potatoes. Fields are turning out disappoiritingly over a fair area of the potato-growing districts, but the aggregate amount of loss due to the wet conditions is difficult to estimate as some localities are providing fully up to normal. However, such districts are in the minority and rejections are fairly substantial among the earlier crops. Auckland is showing an unusual lack of interest in prompt delivery. To the end of April this year 11,000 sacks fewer than for the corresponding period last year have been shipped north. More inquiry has been received from the smaller centres. The Kurow this week took only 790 sacks north from Lyttelton, the smallest shipment at this time of year for some seasons. Values for prompt delivery are £5 5s to £5 7s 6d a ton, f.0.b., s.i.; for May-June, £5 10s and for July-Septem-ber. £6 15s. No change is reported in the wheat market. “Free” wheat has not yet all been absorbed, but millers are holding ample supplies. In the meantime from 5s 8d to 5s Dd on trucks is being paid. Fowl wheat is meeting with a slack sale. It is quoted at 5s 7ld to 5s Bd, f.o.b. There has been some contracting by millers and merchants in next year’s wheat on the same basis as the past season, i.e., 5s lid, f.0.b., for tuscan and 6s 2d for Hunters. The demand for oats is lifeless and quotations remain at 3s 54d, f.0.b., s.i., for A grade, and 3s 2d for B grade. More chaff lias been offering, but the demand is small. It is quoted at £5 10s a ton, f.0.b., s.i., or £3 15s on trucks. The autumn demand is now over. The season for small seeds has been quite satisfactory. Italian ryegrass, like perennial, is in short supply this season* the crop being regarded as one of the lightest for some years in, both varieties. Italian has firmed to *4s on trucks, the f.0.b.,, s.i., price for dressed being 4s 9d. Perennial has maintained a steady level of about 4s 6d a bushel on trucks. Cocksfoot is unchanged and is quoted at 121 d to 12id for standard Akaroa. Cowgrass is now offering freely and it is apparent that the crop has been a good one. With the carry-over the market is bound to be steadied. From 6d to 7d a lb is quoted for good quality. White clover is offering freely at up to lOd a lb.