Grocery Review

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 728, 30 July 1929, Page 10

Grocery Review

The Sun Office, July 30, 1929. r . Trade has been much better during the past week, the wholesale grocery merchants being kept busy w.th the usual rush of orders for delivery on the 25th. | n consequence of tho 'opening of new s.ores, competition in grocery lines IS now very keen—in fact for sometime past prices have been cut down to. almost a non-profit level and the public have benefited accordingly. This state of affairs cannot go on indefinitely and a change to a sounder basis of trading would be welcomed by the trade generally. T HE ? E has been a. distinct shortage of prunes during the last few weeks, only a few of the larger sizes being available. Further shipments 210 V v b emg landed ex Golden Coast, Uom ban Francisco—this vessel also brings fresh supplies of seedless and ra J sins in bulk and cartons, and golden bleached raisins, which have also been m short supply. The Ruahine fiom London this week, will land a quantity of bulk dates in all grades grease-proof paper, saltpetre and cream of tartar. RICE

market for rice supplied to this country from Australia, has undergone some changes during the past few weeks. Une of the most popular lines which was being supplied was Australian dressed rice which was imported from Rangoon mthe rough state and dressed and polished m Australia. Quotations for Lius grade have been advanced £2 per ton with only limited supplies being available, and it is stated that little more of this class of rice will be imported into Australia in future. This is owing to the fact that the Australian Government has placed a heavy duty on imported nee as Australia is now producing large quantities, and at present there is a surplus quantity of about 5,000 tons available for export. Prices for this grade have just been reduced by about £5 a ton, bringing the quotations to a very favourable rate. CREAM OF TARTAR Further cables from London shippers of English cream of tartar advise a very firm market for both prompt and forward deliveries. The price of one well known brand was advanced £3 10s a ton last week, but this has now been followed by another manufacturer with an increase of £7 10s a ton for his brand. It is anticipated that still higher levels will be reached before the end of the-'year, but owing to the earlier information that higher prices were probable, most buyers were able to cover for their requirements for the next six months at the lower quotations previously ruling. CURRANTS

New season's Greek currants, both Amalia and Patras, are slightly easier in price this week, quotations for shipment by the September steamer having been reduced by Is a cwt. As supplies of this fruit usually arrive at a time when stocks of Australian currants are getting short, a fair amount of forward business has already been booked in the Greek varieties. SARDINES

Supplies of both King Oscar and Crossed Fish brisling- have been practically unprocurable for some time past, but cables to hand from the suppliers advise that a shipment has now been made and this should arrive in about two months time to a bare market. As considerable business had been booked before the naming of prices, merchants will be in a position to deliver retailers’ orders direct from the wharf on. arrival. SOAP During the past 12 months most brands of household soaps have been quoted at exceptionally low prices, many of which were considered to be below cost of production. The market has now been stabilised by the ruling prices being advanced by £2 a ton. CANNED FRUITS Some of the Australian canners have cabled their agents to withdraw prices of peaches, both standard and seconds in halves and slices. ISTo doubt this is due to the announcement of the new season’s Californian prices, which are considerably higher than previous rates offered for American fruit. As it is known that Australian packers are working on a very fine cost, they will now no doubt take advantage of obtaining an increase in the price for any further stocks of peaches that may be available. Regarding apricots, the position remains unaltered, as agents are able to quote the original f.o.b. Melbourne prices for a limited quantity. WALNUT HALVES Quotations for new season’s supplies of French walnut halves and pieces for shipments late October up to Januarv are now to hand. These are somewhat lower than the opening figures of last year, but the cost of the special insurance against grub, mildew, etc.., has been considerably increased, bringing the actual landed cost to almost last year's level. As this line is steadily increasing in popularity, sales are expected to be heavy again this year. PEPPER ..This week’s cabled quotations from Singapore show a further reduction of nearly Id a lb. Buyers are anxiouslv awaiting the news of the next few weeks as offers for new season's supplies should be available at any moment, and the crop is reported to be a good one. PIN EAPPLES After a long period of very low prices, Singapore pineapples have firmed considerably during the last few weeks. Latest lists show that the market continues to advance, some sizes having already advanced about 6d a dozen. Quotations are still on a very favourable basis, and as the July-August steamer is the last direct sailing to reach New Zealand before Christmas, the low offers and increased summer demand should see record landings by the above vessel this year. The agents for Fijian cannod pineapples have just advised the trade that quotations for their new season's pack of Island pineapples are withdrawn owing to the estimated pack being sold PRUNES Cables from San Francisco shippers of prunes advise a further sharp advance in quotations for freshly-packed fruit for August shipment. Today’s rates represent a total advance in the larger sizes of nearly Id a lb during the past few months, while the smaller sizes are now about 3d a lb higher. New season’s i quotations have not yet been announced, .but owing to the heavy damage by • frosts, the market is expected to open at 1 j greatly increased rates. This is the first | time for some years that there will be | as the new fruit is expected to be several I weeks later than usual, present offers of 1928 crop appear to be well worth I consideration.