Grocery Review

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 734, 6 August 1929, Page 10

Grocery Review

The Sun Office, August 6, 1929.

Although trade has fallen off a little since the deliveries for August account were made, the wholesale grocery merchants advise that business is quite satis- j factory for this period of the year. Competition is, however, still very keen, and the present-day margin of profit leaves much to be desired. j In many instances quality is unfortunately being sacrificed for price, the demand for high-class goods not being in evidence to the same extent as in former years. UEW price alterations in local foodstuffs are listed this week, the chief item of interest being reductions in certain brands of jelly crystals packed by an Auckland manufacturer. The wharves have been busy this week, for besides the usual Sydney steamer, the Golden Coast from California, Ruahine and Port Alma from London, have been unloading such lines as Californian dried fruits, canned herrings, desiccated cocoanut. dates, cream of tartar, Australian canned and dried fruits, and Tasmanian mutton birds. A further shipment of Canadian clothes pegs will arrive by the Highlander at the end of the week while the Hertford brings English salt in all packings. TARTARIC ACID The advance recently advised in cream of tartar has had the effect of considerable attention being paid to stocks of tartaric acid as any alteration in prices of the former line are usually reflected in the latter. Cables now to hand from London shippers advise that the market is very strong generally, and higher rates are expected shortly. DATES Quotations for the present crop of Sair dates for prompt shipment from London were advanced 9d a cwt last week, and Khadrawi quality 5s a cwt. The former are in short supply on the local market, but considerable quantities of consignment stocks of Khadrawi are still held in store. Prices for new season’s supplies for shipment by the October direct steamer, via Australia, are not yet announced, but these are due at any moment. RICE Cables from San Francisco shippers of advise tiiat stocks of fancy coated and Mexican long-grain types are now exhausted, and all quotations are withdrawn meantime. The lower rates previously advised for Australian-grown grade have induced a fair amount of business so far, but it is understood that the reduction is not general, only one shipper being prepared to supply at the lower price. Limited quantities of Australiandressed rice are still available from another shipper, but it would not be surprising to see quotations for both these qualities increased before long. ANGELICA Supplies of new season’s cry s tall isecl and drained angelica will be shipped from London in August-September, present prices being considerably below last year’s offers. There is a good demand before Christmas and a fair amount of business has already been booked. ALMONDS Stocks of P. G. Sicily almonds are light at present, but further shipments are due to arrive next week. The market for both present and new crop continues to fluctuate, this week’s values being slightly lower than previous rates. The first shipment of the new crop will not arrive until about the end of November, consequently stocks are likely to be short before that time, as there is always a heavy demand for supplies during the months of October and November. NUTS The new crop of Sicilian filberts will be ready for shipment next month, and prices have been very favourable this season. Latest information on the market is to the effect that quotations have advanced £2 a ton for SeptemberOctober shipment. SALMON i As expected the opening prices for j Alaskan are higher than last year’s rates, i especially as regards sockeye; but the advance is not as heavy as was anticipated. Buyers are now awaiting the opening quotations for the new pack of British Columbian and Siberian qualities, before booking their full requirements, although it is understood that open orders have already been given for several of the well-known brands, to ensure prompt delivery should the pack be as short as anticipated. TAPIOCAS Both sago and medium pearl tapioca are listed this week at slightly reduced rates from last week, and those merchants who had not covered for their full requirements for shipment bj- the direct steamer were just in time to secure supplies, as the vessel is scheduled to leave Penang about August 7. Present rates for these lines are very favourable, being lower than for some months past. PIN EAPPLES

As the direct steamer is due to leave Singapore about August IS there is littlebusiness remaining to be booked in canned pineapples. The market remains very firm at present, but as the Majority of the orders were placed at most favourable rates, the low offers are expected to create an increased demand all round. PEPPER It was expected that supplies of the new crop Singapore pepper would be ready for shipment in August, but owing to the fact that prices are still a fairly high level, evidently this is not the case. The crop was reported to be a very good one, which would naturally tend to a reduction in price; but as consignments from the interior would arrive in Singawore to a very bare market, the lower rates expected may not be forthcoming for some time. SPICES Both nutmegs and mace remain at a comparatively low level with fair business on offer. Stocks of Zanzibar cloves are now getting very low, and it is anticipated that there will be very few available by the time the first shipments of the new crop arrive about December or January next. CANNED FRUITS Since the naming of the almost prohibitive prices for the new pack of Californian canned fruits, considerable interest has been shown in Australian apricots and peaches, particularly the latter line in both halves and slices. Most Australian packers have now withdrawn their quotations for both seconds and standard peaches, consequently it is difficult to cover for further quantities. PRUN ES As further indication of the strength of the market in California, latest cables from shippers in San Francisco notify a further advance in the prices of prunes for immediate delivery, some sizes now being 4s a.cwt above last week’s quotations. Some shippers are unable to offer further quantities of most of the sizes, and it is expected that all stcoks in California will soon be cleared. Buyers are anxiously awaiting quotations for new season’s prunes, but local stocks are still fairly heavy; however, it is rather surprising, in the face of the information that the new crop will be a very short one, to find that present stocks are being sold at prices so much below the cost of replacement. KAPOK This market has shown some activity during the last week or two, with several price fluctuations. Since the naming of the new crop quotations a little more than a month ago prices have receded slightly, but all shippers have now advised a much firmer market, with forward prices stiffening. According to cabled information the new crop will be a little later this year, mainly owing to a drought in Java, and with America and the Continent now displaying interest in forward supplies, these factors have caused a firming of all grades of Samarang kapok. One bottle of “NAZOL” protects the .Thole family* Benefits everyone. Quickly soothes and eases. 60 doses Is 6d. ii