Grocery Review

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 764, 10 September 1929, Page 13

Grocery Review

The Sun Office, September 10, 1929. ! Merchants report /hat trade has = "I 1 * • during ti-ve past week, and antic i pate a S'.eady increase in turnover up to., the end of the year. A WE LCOMEar2ftval last Wednesday was the Na/jada from the East with heavy shipn/ents of sago, tapioca, pineapples, spices. haricot beans, lentils, 'rice, etc., all forward saies having .'to be delivered direct from the wl'/axf to the retail trade. Most of thr/se lines are landing at very favour: prices, but lentils and beans both/ show higher costs, and rates to storekeepers will have to be advanced accordingly. The quantities of canned pineapples lanaed a pj, exceptionally heavy, but as purchases have been made at a record low lew], it is expected that the demand cSiis summer will be greater than usual, v especially as other varieties of fruits/ are being offered at increased rate 3. * There has been such a strong den'/md for supplies of prunes during th<-j| p as t few weeks that local stocks ar/3 practically exhausted, and further d/.antities will not be available until •/bout the end of September. Local

•packers of tinned peas have just advised the wholesale trade that quotations for their new season’s pack will be the same as ruled during the present season, and spread deliveries can bo given from November to September of next year. ALMONDS.

Both Sicily and Jordan almonds are now showing higher values, quotations for Septemoer shipment of new crop supplies having advanced £2 and £1 a ton respectively. There is always a keen inquiry for supplies of almonds during November and the early part of December, and most of the goods to fill these requirements are now in course of shipment. New season’s soft-shell almonds also show a sharp increase, prices being over £lO a ton above the openingrates issued some months ago. NUTS

Indent quotations for both Barcelona nuts in shell and kernels have been advanced sharply, prices for new season's supplies for October shipment being £l2 and £IS a. ton higher than the opening figures as listed some weeks ago. No information is to hand as 'to the reason for these higher offers, but it would appear that the new crops are not as abundant as was at first anticipated. CANARY SEED

The lower prices cabled by London shippers of Turkish canary seed were not available for any length of time. Further information received was to the effect, that an advance of £2 a ton had already been recorded, but later cables advise a further advance of £1 a ton. with higher prices expected. Most of the crons failed last season and values soared in consequence. r.H FRRI FR

It would appear that the new crop of cherries in Fiance is proving more abundant than was anticipated. The opening quotations for the new fruit were on a fairly high basis, but as the early reports of the crop were not favourable. most of the business for September shipment was placed almost immediately. Some weeks ago prices. declined over Hd a. lb., and this reduction has now been followed by a further decline of 2d. This applies to crysta’lised cherries, but is not. for the early delivery, being for October. November and December shipment from France. Drained cherries also show lower values, and can bo supplied for the same shipments as the crystallised grades, at l£d a lb. reduction, a 1 _ *\* n M

Further matters of interest to the trade are now advised by cable, one of the principal packers of salmon m British Columbia, instructing his agents to withdraw both colioe and pink grades from further sal°. Other well-known packers have also cabled the withdrawal of prices for cohoes o*hl3\ but can still offer pinks. This means that since. the naming of the new season's prices about a month ago, the withdrawal of Sockeye quality from most quarters, Alaska reds, pinks and cohoes in certain quarters only. Such a. position is unprecedented so far as salmon generally is concerned. as usually packers have been able to continue- offering all grades for a few months. at least, after the naming of opening rates.

The latest information on the market for new crop supplies for Madagascar butter beans is to the effect that prices have again declined, the latest fall being of 10s a ton. This makes a total decreased rate of £5 10s a ton since the beans were first Quoted here, but it is stated that quotations are not expected to go any lower, especially for the early shipments. Considerable business has been placed at. present prices, although some early bookings at the higher prices were recorded. PATF. C Helped by a keen demand, stocks of dates on spot are at present much smaller and there may be a shortage of supplies before the new pack arrives in December. London shippers are still able to offer Siar bulk and Khadrav.fi loose packed grades at very favourable rates, but as there are still some consignment stocks available, here, local buyers arc drawing on these as required. RT.F ; for Xovernber-December shipments are j now firmer, the market having- advanced I 10s a ton. There will be more interest | shown in prices for the April steamer las soon-,as these are available. PINEAPPLE?. Singapore quotations show little or no change this week, but an early advance is expected, and buyers have been operating freely for the next direct shipment. PEPPER This item still shows a weakening- tendency, and although prices appear to be attractive, it is difficult to judge if the market has touched bottom. it is understood that a fair amount of business has been booked at today’s prices, j- buyers being under the impression that it is advisable to book at least a portion of their requirements. TAPIOCAS I The market for both seed and pearl tapiocas remains firm at last, week’s rates, i although one shipper has already adI vanoed prices 4Jd and lid respectively. ! However, the shipments landed ex Xnr- ; bada • should be ample for pi'esent requirements, and it will not be necessary l to bring forward further quantities until the sailing ol* the December steamer. PRUNE? Cables from one of the largest ship- j pm-s in California advise that at »ast ! all supplies of the present crop of I prunes are exhausted, and with the ex- ! ception of a few .hundred boxes still to arrive her:- about the end of this month, buyer.- will have to await new crop sup- j plies due about the end qf November. * Quotations for * the new season's fruit ! continue to advance, the latest prices ! showim; all round increases of about Is ! to Is Cd a* cwt. CASTOR OIL Prices issued last week for Australian ! thirds of castor oil in both bait' cases and j drums are 3d a gallon below the previous level. These offers are considered j very low and should be conducive to i good business being placed for shipment j from Calcutta in November-Decembcr. | AUCTION NOTES n. X. irelville instructed by the cite- i outers in a deceased estate, will sell ;>y auction cr. Thursday. September 12. at 11 a.m.. on the premises, 1,1 Fairfax Road, Epsom, a valuable freehold prop- i erty, being a residence of six rooms and level section. Immediately after the sale the entire household furniture and furnishings will be sold without reserve. The * goods , will be on view morning of sale. !