JAM-MAKING SEASON.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 January 1921, Page 4

JAM-MAKING SEASON.

PROSPECTS FOR FRUIT SUPPLY. A SHORTAG.E OF SUGAR. The jam-making season will soon be in full swing, and housewives will be surveying the market as to prospects for the supplies of various materials. Reports indicate that fruit is not by any means coming from the growers in large quantities, and a scarcity of sugar is also existent. A New Plymouth ’buyer stated yesterday that the main source of fniit supply is Burbank plums, of which there was a good crop, but these were already being depleted. Peaches are extremely short, and it is likely that the prices for the first fruit will be out of the question as regards jam-making, though some of the smaller grades should be available at a moderate price. The shortness of the supply, however, is emphasised by the fact that already growers are commencing on the late season fruit.

Nectarines ar& coming forward in fair quantities, and also apricots from central Otago, but their condition te not satisfactory, on account of the length of time on the way. Unfortunately the shipping service with j Nelson prevents Taranaki from getting a supply of stone fruit from there, but it is hoped to secure a fair quantity of peaches, apricots and nectarines by the Corinna, which is due at New Plymouth to-day. Though not ordinarily classed in the fruit-making category, tomatoes make good jam. and. they promise to be fairly plentiful. Apples are in good supply, and tp a lesser degree this will also apply to z pears. With regard to the sugar market, a New Plymouth merchant explained yesterday that in normal times the grocers endeavor to accumulate a reserve to meet the fruit demand, but this has. been quite impossible for =ome considerable time. It is understood that the Government is endeavoring to obtain supplies from Australia, but with the present shipping troubles no help can be expected during February, as it would take quite three weeks, if not longer, for the sugar to reach New Plymouth. The position is that all retailers have received their January allotment, and in addition a shipment arrived yesterday, which will provide an extra'supply for the month of about 20 per cent. It would require perhaps ten times this quantity to meet the immediate demand for the fruit season. Any relief by shipments from Java now seems quite hopeless. The position with regard to this supply was that the sugar was quoted at about £lO per ton under the locaf price, and it was offered to customers, subject to confirmation within a few days. A quantity was so.d by oife firm equal to about three times their Government monthly allotment, but the shippers replied that they could not book, but might be able to confirm at an advance of roughly £7 per ton. Most of the buyers agreed to pay this advance, hut definite word is now to hand that the orders cannot be booked. The significance of these sales is that the shortage, in the opinion of the retailers, is very large. An important item in preserve-making is the question of jars. This year moderate supplies are available at prices i le.ss than those of 1920, but showing 1 about 75 per cent, advance on pre-war nite*