GRAIN AND PRODUCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 July 1938, Page 9

GRAIN AND PRODUCE

CANTERBURY MARKETS POTATOES UNCERTAIN (By /Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, July 1. Chief interest in the Canterbury grain and produce markets continues to be in potatoes, but as the Government has not yet made the long-await-ed announcement about its inquiry into the possibility of exporting, the market remains uncertain. Up to the beginning of the week buyers had shown no confidence, and, except for a few prompt hand-to-mouth orders, had not been operating. Farmers have been optimistically holding their stocks in the hope of securing Government assistance, and shipments to all ports have been very small for several weeks. Auckland and Wellington stocks have evidently been cleared in the meantime, and now Dakotas have improved up to £2 15s and Suttons to £3 (both quotations for handy stations. However, only small quantities are coming on to the market even at these prices. This is partly because some growers still prefer to hold their stocks and partly because of bad weather.

Onions remain firm at £l3 to £l3 10s a ton. The crop this season has been smaller than usual, and supplies are therefore not over plentiful. Although the first of the Canadian onions will not arrive before about October 5, there is no likelihood of a serious shortage as supplies will be brought from , Australia if necessary. The July increment of Id a bushel went on to wheat today. New prices are: —Tuscan, 5s lOd; Hunters, 6s; and Pearl, 6s 2d. Other markets are unchanged.