Grocery Review

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 740, 13 August 1929, Page 10

Grocery Review

The Sun Office, August 13, 1929. During the past week trade has been fairly quiet, but as several vessels have been discharging at the wharves, merchants have been | kept busy. The arrival of the I Tofu: with Island orders has : helped the position. but the con- 1 tinued wintry conditions are ‘ greatly against a steady volume of 1 business. 1 ‘VITH the opening of new stores in‘ both town ad suburban districts,i and the keen competition for business generally, merchants have been cutting prices to such an extent that some are now giving away the whole of their trade discounts Inerely working on their cash discounts. 0n the other hand. others are not prepared to adopt these niet‘ncds. preferring to who 1035 business lnez'xntirne and await develop-‘mv-nts. The present position is most serious. land it is to be hoped that :1 return to {normal (conditions will be made at an learly date. ,_

Bacon and hams in all pacliings were advanced 1d :1 lb by local factories last week. Although some shipments of prunes arrived by the Hauraki. stocks are again almost exhausted and there is a strong demand for supplies at present. The list of goods just to hand from overseas includes shipments of Mexican rice, raisins, Sicily almonds, Norwegian sild and Ceylon teal ACIDS .__.

{ Following last week's information from VLondon shippers of tartaric acid that the market was strong and higher prices were lexpected, cables now to hand advise an increase in the prices of this line in both {powdered and small crystals of %d a lb. : It is stated that still higher rates :ll'O probable as supplies of raw materials are extremely short. Quotations for citric acid are, however, slightly lower ’ this week, a. decline of fit] 9. lb for prompt [shipment being notified. CHERRIES Prices of new season’s French crystallised cherries- for September shipment from )[arseilles have been declining for some weeks, present offers being almost bat-k to the level of two years ago. i The 1928 crop was a failure and much‘ higher prices resulted, but although a certain amount of damage by frost was (lune. to the 1929 crop, this has now been found to be less serious than was pre—viously reported. ' DATES The long—expected quotations for new season's dates for shipment by the Octo—ber direct steamer via Australia. have. now been named, and are at present having the attention of the trade. In comparison with the opening prices for the same shipment last year, Khadrawi bulk quality are 25 a. cwt lower and Sairs 2s 6d less. with corresponding reductions in both loosepack and stoned grades. Prices are subject to a full clause up to the end of the year, and as net landed weights will be Charged, a. fair amount of business will no doubt be offering. Quotations have also been made for dates for Octobei'vNovember second direct steamer; but as there is only one steamer direct from Busra to Australia each year, it is obvious that this should refer to shipments via London during those months. Orders on the October direct steamer usually arrive here a. few weeks before Christmas, whereas shlpments from London cannot arrive until Janu—ary, at which period the demand is very light owing to plentiful supplies of fresh fruit which are then available. ‘ BEANS ‘

Both hm‘icot and ){adagascar butter beans have ruled very high during the past 12 months owing to a general failure in the crops. The crops in America were also very light last season. and considerable quantities 0t butter beans had to be imported. It is expected that this season's crops will be about normal, con—sequently prices of Madagascar beans are expected to be much lower than those ruling at: present. Although the new crop will not be ready for shipment until about January next, speculative offers are already being made to alwout {2 105 below last year's high rates; but as it is apparent that there is room for a considerable reduction on those prices buyers are. not prepared to operate meantime. RAISINF.

The market for present season's supv plies of unbleached raisins is slightly weaker, prices having declined 9d a, cwt. for prompt delivery. Little alteration is noticeable in the rates for new season's fruits, but at the present time there is no great interest being shown in California. raisins as slightly lower quotations are expected. PRUNES

Although it has been stated that supplies of present crop prunes are exhausted in California. one well-known shipper is still offering all sizes, but prices are much higher. Latest cables advise an increase of about Is in all sizes of freshly packed fruit for August-September shipments, and business has been accepted at these advanced rates. Prices for new season’s supplies were cabled last week, as ex—pected, being on an exceptionally high level, being over forty per cent. above last year's opening quotations. The general opinion of the trade was that these high prices were not likely to hold, but as turther evidence of the strength of the market, cables came to hand at the Weekend notifying that an advance had already taken place, 20/30's being advanced ls a cwt. 40/50'5 25 6d a cwt., 50/60'5 ls 3d OWL, 60/70‘5 25 3d cwt., 70/80‘5 ls 9d cwt., 80/90‘s and 90/100’5 6d a cwt. SALMON '

The opening prices for Alaskan salmon are now advised from all packers, and compared with last season’s offers show an increase of about 10 per cent. on both halves, flats and one’s tails. Very little interest is being shown in the halves, as preference is always given to British Columbia sockeye, but business is aiways done in the one pound tails. as prices compare more favourably. Ship—ments can be made by the next Vancouver steamer. and can be spread until the end of the year. At time of Writing merchants are anxiously awaiting new season's prices for all grades of British Columbia salmon, these being due at any moment. PEANUTS

Java. shelled peanuts are again in very short supply locally, and buyers are awaiting the arrival of their new sea.son’s shipments. These were booked for shipment in June, but it would appear that supplies were not ready at that time. otherwise they should have arrived before this. The market for furv ther forward shipment. is now reported firm, and some suppliers are unable to make any deliveries at present. NUTS The new crop of Barcelona kernels will not be ready for shipment from Spain until October, but favourable ofiers have already been made for this delivery. Cables from London shippers notify :1 very firm market at present, quotations having advanced £3 a. ton. SINGAPORE PRODUCE

Both sage and medium pearl tapioca are 1 a shade easier this week, and as presentl rates are very attractive, consiferablei interest has been shown in this iarket.i Some buyers have taken the opportunity of covering for th ir requirements for the ‘ next direct sailiné from the East in No- ‘ \‘ember-December. Pepper is also show—ing a slight reduction on last lists. although still on a. high level. Most of the merchants were not prepared to order any supplies to come forward by the August direct steamer, and will book for ship—ment Via Australia when the new sea.son’s supplies are available at the lower rates anticipated. Pineapples remain steady at ruling rates, with little interest being shown for forward shipment. CALCUTTA GOODS The present strike throughout the jute mills has, of course, put a. stop to further business in all jute fabrics. but it is apparent that the trouble has just spread to other industries. as shippers of general lines have now withdrawn all quotations. 1 MUTTON BIRDS ‘ The season in Tasmania has been an 1 exceptionally good one. and there are still lsupplies of mutton birds available for \export. Lat-est advice is to the effect 1 that prices are now about 235' a 100 be» ‘iorv previous rates. but as all the deliv—eries have already been made to this market, the lower otters are 9: little interest at present. _ _ _ __. _, _ _>,-______