TRADE IN PRODUCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 885, 31 January 1930, Page 10

TRADE IN PRODUCE

POTATO PRICES LOW MAIZE FROM OVERSEAS The Sun Office, 9 a.m. With the market for potatoes and onions sti.l glutted, there is little profit in the grain and produce trade for merchants at the moment. The grain market is quiet, most retails buying only from hand to mouth. Although prices have fluctuated slightly during the week, there has been little real change in the potato market. The slight improvement in the weather has encouraged some growers to hold, but heavy supplies continue to come forward to the marts, and prices show little indication of improving meantime. The nominal price to the grower at Pukekohe is in the vicinity of £4 10s a ton. Trade with the merchant, however, is restricted as a result of the bedrock prices in the marts; slightly increased business has been done with storekeepers South of Pukekohe during the week, and a few small parcels have been railed to as far South as Wellington. Nominally. merchants’ through store price at Auckland is in the vicinity of 6s 6d a cwt subject to the usual terms relating to delivery and discounts. In the marts the price under the hammer still ranges between 3s 6d and 5s 6d a cwt. Qua.ity r of Onions Improving A decided improvement has been noted in the quality of the onions sent into the Auckland market over the past week. Prices remain low, however, and growers are making little, if any, profit on sales. Through store, Auckland the nominal price is in the vicinity of 7s 6d a cwt. In the marts on a net cash basis with arrangements for delivery, etc., on the buyer the price ranges from 3s Od to 5s 6d a cwt. Forward Maize Easier The forward position in regard i<maize is decidedly easier as a result of recent bookings of South African and Java maize. Bookings of South African maize to arrive in Auckland in March were made over a fortnight ago; some has oven been booked to arrive earlier. During the past day or so indications of an even easier forward market havebeen given by limited contracts for Java maize and fairly heavy offers of South African maize for transhipment, from Sydney. Merchants in Sydney bought fairly heavily in anticipation of a shortage in the Australian harvest but, now finding that their worst fears in this respect do not appear as if they will be realised, they are endeavouring to unload part of their purchases on to New Zealand buyers. South African maize is being sold forward to small storekeepers at 7s a bushel delivered in Auckland. The Java cereal is being offered on a basis of 6s 9d a bushel delivered. Prices all round, even after allowing for contingencies, are well below the leve*l indicated by Gisborne sellers a fortnight or three weeks ago. The wheat market holds firm, the cereal selling through Auckland stores at from 7s lid to 8s a bushel. Oats are also very firm, with little indication of an easing in the market when the new season’s grain arrives. There is every sign that there will be a light harvest this year. B Gartons are selling at up to 5s through store Auckland; A’s are Id dearer. The first of the new season’s chaff arrives from Blenheim next week, but buyers have little guarantee in respect to quality. Good bright old seasons continues to sell through Auckland merchants’ stores at £ll 10s a ton.