Grocery Review

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 758, 3 September 1929, Page 10

Grocery Review

The Sun Office, September 3, 1929. With the completion of all the early orders for September ac- , count, business with the wholesale grocery houses has been somewhat quieter although the arrival of several overseas steamers with heavy shipments of foodstuff lines has kept all staffs very busy. THE Golden Cross, from San Francisco. landed considerable quantities of most varieties of Californian dried fruits, while the Karamea had a general assortment of London lines, many of which were in rather short supply. Chief among these lines were the first shipments of the new pack of King Oscar sardines, which have been unprocurable on the local market for some time. Other items of interest included dates, bovril, safety matches, saltpetre, currie powder, meat pastes and tinfoil. Several parcels of genuine | French crystallised cherries also came to hand by the Maheno, these being the last shipments to be delivered be- | fore the new season’s supplies are ! available. The proprietors of a well-known breakfast food advise that a special bonus offer of one packet extra in every dozen ordered will be supplied on all orders received during the next fortnight. SALMON Since the naming of the new pack prices a little over a fortnight ago, considerable interest has been shown by the wholesale merchants, as usually the greater portion of their season’s requirements is booked on the naming of the opening rates. Some concern is, however, being shown owing to the receipt of cables from some of the leading packers, instructing agents to withdraw all sockeye packings. It now appears evident that this grade will be in short supply again (so far as British Columbian is concerned) long before stocks of the next new pack will be available for delivery. All other grades from British Columbia, including cohoes, pinks, and chums, are unaltered meantime, although it is possible that some of these lines may also be short, as it is understood that this is the light cycle year for salmon.

As regards Alaskan salmon, bearing out the withdrawal of British Columbian sockeye, one of the best known Alaskan packers has also cabled the withdrawal of red salmon in lib tall tins, so it seems quite evident that there is a genuine light pack of the better grade of fish in Alaska as well as in British Culombia. CURRANTS Latest information from the Australian Dried Fruits Control Board is to the effect that supplies of four crown currants are now exhausted. As agents have also been instructed to sell further quantities of two and three crown qualities only, subject to confirmation, the general impression in the trade is that supplies of all currants in Australia are now becoming very short. On the other hand, quotations for Greek currants for September shipment are slightly easier, both cleaned Amalia and Patras qualities being reduced by Is a cwt. SULTANAS Quotations for the new crop of Smyrna sultanas also show lower values, latest offers for September shipment being Is a cwt more favourable than formerly. Only limited quantities of these will be imported this year as both Australian plain quality and Californian grades are offering on a lower level. CANARY SEED The market for all kinds of canary seed has been ruling very high for some considerable time and bookings have naturally been on the small side. Prices for Moroccan quality were named some weeks ago these being considered quite favourable; but London shippers are now able to quote for the new crop supplies of Turkish seed for September shipment, these being about £2 10s a ton below the Moroccan article. PEPPER Cables from Singapore during the past week would indicate that the new crop of white pepper is coming in from the up-country stations more freely, as quotations are now more favourable. There is, however, still a big discrepancy in offers from the various shippers, and little business is passing at present. It is stated that London buyers, who have been holding off for some time, are now commencing to put up offers for supplies. PIN EAPPLES Following the previous advice that higher rates would be asked for Singapore canned pineapples, fractional advances are already notified in most sizes for shipment by the next direct steamer. It is stated that the Chinese packers have been working at a loss, and that their ideas of future values will have the effect of a general increase in all quotations from Singapore. BEANS As anticipated, prices for new season’s supplies of Madagascar butter beans have again been reduced by £2 10s a ton, and there seems every likelihood of the market declining further, as today’s quotations are still considerably higher than in normal years. Some business has already been booked at the higher prices, but the majority of the orders are still to be placed. CHILLI ES Prices just issued for new season’s Zanzibar chillies are slightly lower than previous years’ offers, but as there is only a limited demand for supplies, indents placed for shipment in SeptemberOctober have not been heavy. DRIED FRUITS

Latest cables from San Francisco advise that all grades of Californian dried fruits remain very firm. Only small stocks of present season’s raisins and prunes are now available for shipment to this market, and these are commanding high prices. The prospect of lower rates ruling for new crop supplies of fruit, especially prunes, seems very remote. KAPOK The market remains very steady, with a slight easing in price only for present season’s prime Samarang quality for prompt shipment. The c.i.f. rate for new crop supplies is unaltered from the opening figure, but advice now received is to the effect that the crop will be approximately one month later in coming to hand this year. GUM ARABIC This commodity continues to rise, latest cables from London shippers advising a further advance of £lO a ton, which brings the present c.i.f.e. rate to a record high level. The abnormally high price is due to the acute shortage of stocks, and the position cannot be relieved until the new crop is gathered in the fcjudan. CASTOR OIL Quotations issued last week for Australian thirds of castor oil in both halfcases and drums are lower than has been the case for some time, and buyers are now booking their requirements for shipment by the next direct sailing from Calcutta in December. RESIN At the present time, prices for American resin remain steady, with fractional advances being asked for prompt shipment. JUTE The s.s. Narbada, which is due to arrive in Auckland about September 4, is carrying all orders booked in jute goods, with the exception of the Wellington shipments. The Jinua was to carry the balance, but owing to an accident to this vessel, the orders will now come forward by ihe Gamaria. Owing to strike troubles it was feared that the XovemberDecember shipments would be delayed, but, fortunately, an early settlement has relieved the situation. The general opinion in Calcutta is that the jute forecast was considerably underestimated, and very little buying is being done, the market remaining quiet.