Grocery Review

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 680, 4 June 1929, Page 10

Grocery Review

The Sun Office, June 4, 1929. Wholesale trade ce.ntinues on _a steady basis, country business in particular being very satisfactory. Owing to the holiday yesterday merchants are expecting a busy period this week, and an improvement in town and suburban business is anticipated. THE arrival of the Sussex last week was of considerable interest in view of the amount of damage by fire just after leaving Samarang. Practically all the damaged cargo was left behind at Sourabaya. The lines which are most affected are haricot beans, rice and spices, and a temporary shortage must occur in these lines. A certain quantity of tapiocas and pineapples was affected, but stocks of these lines are fairly good, so no serious inconvenience should be experienced. A general average of 25 per cent, has been declared, but fortunately Auckland cargo seems to have been less affected than shipments for Southern ports. The first supplies of the new season’s Dominion grown walnuts have now arrived and these are meeting with a very ready sale. The list of goods which arrived last week includes the following: California raisins, prunes, Peck’s and Maconochie’s meat pastes, Lea and Perrin’s sauce, greaseproof paper and axe handles. Further shipments of Canadian clothes pegs and English salt will be landed ex Canadian Transporter and Maimoa this week. SALMON Prices for the new pack of Canadian salmon are now due and merchants and the trade generally are awaiting these with considerable interest, particularly as local stocks of some grades are almost depleted. The indications at present are that the coming pack will be a light one, as it is understood that besides certain fishing restrictions in British Columbia this season, this is what is termed the fourth cj'cle year, and the run of fish is usually lighter than usual at this period. TAPIOCAS Cables from Penang shippers show a weaker market in both sago and medium pearl tapioca, and prices quoted for shipment by the July/August direct sailing are the lowest for some time. As considerable quantities of merchants* orders were lost on the Sussex, a fair amount of business has now been cabled for replacement for immediate shipment via Sydney. Buyers are also covering for a considerable portion of their requirements for the July/August steamer, as today’s rates will probably advance before long. PEPPER

The market for spot stocks in the East is ruling at even higher levels than ever and holdings in Singapore are reported to be very scarce. Reports from origin appear to be more encouraging as to the future, as larger crops are being grown in the producing areas and a substantial reduction in price is expected in July/ August, when the new crop supplies become available for shipment. OIL OF LEMON Prices for oil of lemon remain on a very firm level, the rates ruling in Messina still being well above local buyers' ideas. Reports are now to hand that lower offers will no doubt be available about August next; consequently only a limited amount of ordering is being done meantime. The exceptionally high prices are attributed to the fact that hundreds of car loads of lemons were railed to Central Europe during the past severe winter, to be used in dealing with the influenza epidemic, this resulting in only limited quantities being available for the supply of oil of lemon. CITRIC ACID Slightly lower quotations are available for supplies of English citric acid for delivery during June and July, latest cables from London shippers quoting at a reduction of a farthing a lb. PINEAPPLES Singapore pineapples, in all grades, show a decline this week, and are now quoted at most favourable rates. A big proportion of the business for shipment by the July-August steamer has already been booked, and only supplementary orders will now be placed at these low prices. CURRANTS New season’s currants are still being offered by Mediterranean shippers at slightly higher prices than Australian Mildura grades, and indications point to an advance in quotations shortly. It would not occasion surprise also to see higher quotations for Mildura qualities before long. CLOTHES PEGS The local market has been very short of supplies of Canadian clothes pegs, but the Canadian Transporter is due next week with a small shipment, which will relieve the position. Owing to the difficulty in obtaining supplies of timber suitable for the manufacture of clothes peg_;, and the abnormal demand for supplies, the manufacturers notify an advance of 4d a box for future shipments. FIGS Following the advice of a firming in the market for Smyrna figs, cables from London advise slight advances in the prices of Cellophane packets of layer figs, also in cooking figs packed in 71b linen bugs. This refehs to the new crop supplies for shipment in SeptemberOctober next. MUTTON BIRDS Further shipments of Tasmanian mutton birds arrived by the last Sydney steamer, and the quality of the birds this year is stated to be exceptionally good. Prices have now declined 2s 6d a 100, but as contracts were made subject to a fall clause, buyers will benefit accordingly on all orders unshipped at the time of the reduction taking place. BEANS Cables from London again notify a very firm market for Madagascar butter beans, prices having advanced a further £2 a ton for June shipment. The world’s crop of beans remains short, and as European and American buyers are prepared to pay high prices, no relief can be expected until the new crops are ready, early in the year. OLIVE OIL Prices for all grades of olive oil remain firm with the bulk of the trade flowing steadily to the French prt*lueing areas. The uniform quality and attractive packing of French oils appear to bo tho chief reason for the increasing tra.de. TIN PLATES Prices of Lydbrook's tin plates have been gradually firming for some time, but must buyers have now covered for the bulk of their requirements for both prompt and forward delivery. GUM ARABIC This commodity continues to soar in price, and from latest London cables the market is likely to go still higher. A further advance of £2 a ton has just been notified, and it is interesting; to note that since quotations for the new crop were issued in February last, the c.i.f.e. rate has advanced over £25 a ton, bringing today’s rate to the highest level that has been reached for a year WAX Owing to an accumulation of stocks the indent price for "Paraffin wax has been steadily declining, but advice has just been received that the market is now showing it firmer tone. BLU ESTON E Quotations for Macclesfield bluestone are again easier this week, latest cables from London shippers offering for prompt shipment at a reduction of 7s Gd a ton.