TRADE IN PRODUCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1057, 22 August 1930, Page 11

TRADE IN PRODUCE

POTATO MARKET WEAK NO CONFIDENCE IN FUTURE Potatoes continue to occupy most attention in grain, seed and produce circles. The market is very weak, and prices are on the lowest levels recorded at this time of the year for many years. The position in regard to potatoes gets worse instead of better as the season advances. The spot market is heavily supplied, but although prices are down to bedrock, the retail demand has not responded, and the public appears to be taking less with this season’s low prices than last season when prices were much higher. There arc still ample supplies of other vegetables on the market, and these are interfering somewhat with the demand for potatoes. In the South all efforts of holders to revive the market have failed, and prices have dropped even lower during the week. Weak holders are consigning, and taking the best offer; in face of this it is impossible to hold the market. At the moment Auckland merchants are offering good tubers at from 6s 6d to 7s a cwt through store, subject to the usual discounts. Stocks of Onions Low Stocks of onions have been allowed to get rather low during the past week or so. The Australian importations have not proved the best of keepers, and merchants have not been keen on holding stocks for any length of time if they could effect quick sales, as the onions require constant picking over. A further supply of Australian onions is due during the first week in September. A few American onions have already made their appearance on this market, but the first sizeable shipments of the season arrive toward the end of next month, shipments being due from both California and Vancouver. On present indications, the Californian onions will be sold through store around 20s a cwt; Canadians will be offered at around 17s 6d. At the moment, spot quotations for Australian onions through Auckland stores range round 14s 6d a cwt, compared with 11s 6d a week ago. Cereal Market Quiet The cereal market is quiet, showing little movement. The market for oats is unchanged, B gartons selling through Auckland stores at 4s > lOd a bushel. Ample supplies of chaff are held on the spot. Southern chaff sells through store at £lO 10s a ton; Tasmanian sells at £lO a ton. Further shipments of Tasmanian chaff have been booked to arrive in the- near future. The wheat market remains in the control of the pool, and the through store price is firm at 8s a bushel. Maize meets with a steady retail demand. Practically all the African maize has been disposed of, and the market is now relying almost entirely on local. The through store, Auckland price, ranges round 6s 3d a bushel, The f.o.b. or f.o.r. price is unchanged at 5s a bushel. Ample stocks of bran and pollard are held on the spot. Bran sells at 8s 9d a bushel; pollard sells at 9s 6d a bushel. PUKEKOHE STOCK SALE Special to THE SUN PUKEKOHE, Thursday. Dairy cattle were in keen demand and prices were firmer, at the stock sale at Pukekohe today, conducted by the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company. Best dairy cows and heifers realised from £l4 to £l6 10s; other good sorts, £ll 10s to £l3 10s, and backward, £9 to £ll ss. Yearling Jersey heifers made from £6 to £7 ss, and other good yearling heifers, £4 10s to £5 ss. There was an average yarding of beef. Good fat cows made £8 10s to £lO 10s; lighter cows, £7 to £8 ss; best store cows, £5 10s to £6 ss; other good store cows, £4 10s to £5 ss; boner cows, £2 10s to £3 10s. Pigs were penned in improved numbers and prices generally showed an increase. Baconers realised £3 to £3 11s; porkers, £2 5s to £2 16s; large stores, £2 to £2 4s; good slips, £1 10s to £1 18s; weaners, 17s to £ 1 Bs. BUTTER AND CHEESE Merchants report receipt of overseas cables as follow: Joseph Nathan and Company, from Trengrouse and Nathan, Ltd., London: “Butter, fresh landed, very slow of sale at 130 sto 1325; stored neglected. White cheese, 945; coloured, 80s; weak.” Amalgamated Dairies, Ltd., frojn their London office: Butter: Our official price unchanged; Anchor 1345; market now demoralised; stored butter released by speculators and factories meantime controlling position. Finest sold yesterday at 128 s for stored and 130 s for freshly arrived; Danish, 1365. Cheese: White, 74s to 765; coloured, 80s to 81s; market weaker. Dalgety and Company, limited, from Samuel Page and * Son, London, dated August 21:—Butter market continues weak at further decline. New Zealand finest salted, 130 sto 1325; Danish, 142 sto 1445; Australian finest unsalted, 132 sto 1345; salted, 130 sto 1325; G.A.Q., 128 sto 130 s. Cheese market is dull. New Zealand white, 75s to 765; coloured, 80s to 81s; Canadian white, 80s to 82s; coloured. 80s to 82s; c.i.f., 775.