Grocery Review

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 752, 27 August 1929, Page 10

Grocery Review

The Sun Office, August 27, 1929. The wholesale grocery merchants j have had a very busy week, orders delivered for next month’s account being exceptionally heavy. With the return of better weather, there is a general improvement in country trade, and as dairying will ! soon be in full swing, merchants are looking forward tp a period of j steady trading. PALIFORNIAN dried fruits have j been very short, but further ship- J ments are due at the end of the week. The higher indent values for new season’s prunes and raisins have had the effect of a general increase in prices of any spot stocks available. A weirknown manufacturer of baking powder advises that this line wyi now be packed in 51b tins in addition to the smaller sizes. ALMONDS Quotations for new season's supplies of Sicily almonds continue firm, and it is not expected that lower rates will be available for some time. METZ FRUITS Sales in these French ci'ystallised fruits are now rather limited, consequently there has not been much interest shown in the new season’s prices just to hand. These are slightly lower than last year, and shipment can he made in October, in time for the Christmas ti'ade; nevertheless, the business boked so far has been disappointing. MUSCATELS Favourable quotations have ruled this year for all grades of Spanish muscatels, and bookings have been somewhat heavier in consequence. Cables from London shippers advise that the market is now much firmer, some packings having been advanced by 10s a cwt. RICE Prices of Rangoon rice for shipment by the next direct steamer have been quoted for some time, but at present the market is showing a firming tendency. Fair business has been done in the South, where climatic conditions do not affect the rice on arrival as is the case in Auckland; bookings for this port will be limited until prices are announced for the April direct steamer. PEPPER In the absence of advice from the producing point, it .is proving very difficult to follow the market for all grades of pepper. It would appear, however, that sellers are holding back supplies, and the expected decline has not so far eventuated. Prices have fluctuated considerably of late, and this week show's a decline of |d a lb. However, at today's prices, pepper is not considered good buying and buyers are still prepared to hold off. SPICES Indications point to lower offers being available shortly for both nutmegs and mace. Latest cabled information from Singapore shippers is to the effect that the market for both of these lines is weak. TAPIOCAS Both sago and medium pearl tapioca are now beginning to show firmness, latest offers being a shade higher than previous rates. In view of the low prices that have ruled during the past few weeks, heavy bookings have already been made for shipment by the next direct sailing in December. PINEAPPLES Latest prices for Singapore canned pineapples remain on a par with last week’s offers. For some time past the general opinion has been that this fruit must command higher prices and cables just to hand state that the market is firm with an upward tendency. In view of the above position, most buyers are now taking the opportunity of covering for a good proportion of their forward requirements. PEANUT KERNELS Good supplies of Java kernels arrived last week per Marama via Sydney, and these w r ere very welcome as local stocks in merchants’ hands were almost exhausted. The market for forward indent shipment show's a slightly higher level and no further supplies will be available until the arrival of the October shipment from Samarang. OLIVE OIL Cabled advice from Marseilles this week 1 is to the effect that higher prices are now being obtained for french olive oil, with further advances probable. The new' crop will not be available until nexrt January, consequently the market is expected to remain firm until the end of the OIL OF LEMON Prices for oil of lemon are now stated to be advancing steadily. The higher temperatures and better weather conditions throughout Europe have created a much stronger demand for case lemons. BEANS Quotations for supplies of the new season’s crop of Madagascar lima beans continue to decline, latest cables from London shippers notifying a reduction of £2 10s a ton for December to March shipment. As it is anticipated that there is still room for a further fall in price, buyers are not displaying any great interest in present offers. PRUNES As further evidence of the shortage in the new' crop of prunes in California, there have been two advances in quotations during the past week. As previously stated the market opened this year at about 40 per cent, above last seasons’ opening rates, and since these prices were declared, most sizes have advanced from 6s to 7s a cwt. Although the ehrly advices from one well-known shipper were to the effect that prices w'ere expected to advance, other agents appear to have had information that the market -would not hold, consequently although some buyers have covered fairly heavily for their requirements up to February-March shipment, others will now be foxxed to buy at the advanced rates. RAISINS The early forecasts of the raisin crops in California do not appear to have been exaggerated, for already there are advances noted in several grades of fruit For some time past efforts have been made to stabilise the market, and cables just to hand state that the Farm Relief Board appropriation has now been definitely announced and as a result the raisin market is strong and advancing. Prices for both present and new crop supplies of Thompson’s seedless raisins have been advanced 9d a cwt, while the prices just declared for the new crop of both soda and oil bleached raisins are about 7s a cwt above the rates previouslv ruling for the present season’s fruit. Ail indictions point to still higher levels.

PRICES UNCHANGED

BUTTER AND CHEESE IN LONDON From reports received by merchant houses in Auckland, the markets for New Zealand butter and cheese in London have not changed. Reports are : Bank of New Zealand, from its London office at the close of business last week : Butter, 175 s to 176 s a cwt.. market firm; cheese, coloured, 925, white, 90s, market firm. Amalgamated Dairies. Limited, from its London office, August 24:—Butter: Our prices unchanged, finest 17 6s. After considerable activity the- market is now' quietly steady. Danish. 180 s spot, 175 s f.o.b. Deliveries of New Zealand, 924 tons; stock, 3,050 tons. Retail prices unchanged. Cheese: New' Zealand and Canadian, white, 90s; coloured, 935, spot. Canadian, SSs 6d c.i.f. Retail prices unchanged. Dalgety and Company, Ltd., a report from Samuel Page and Son, August 26; Holders are asking Is more for butter (now 174 s to 1765) and 2s more for cheese (now 90s to 91s).