GRAIN AND PRODUCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 August 1938, Page 3

GRAIN AND PRODUCE

4 CANTERBURY MARKETS QUIET (By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, August 12 The week has been a very quiet one in the grain and produce markers, little trading of any kind has been done, and prices have not changed. The chief interest continues to be in potatoes. Rumours that Australia will lift the embargo on New Zealand potatoes persist. Merchants have been receiving many inquiries from Australia, and these have encouraged the belief that the time has not come yet to give up all hope of an export market. Farmers have been very strong holders, and because of that, together with bad weather over the last six or seven weeks, devileries from the country have been held up sufficiently to keep the market from crashing. Sellers are reluctant to operate beyond August, and most buyers seem to be working on a hand-to-mouth basis. The quotation to farmers remains at £2 10s a ton at handy stations. It was estimated earlier this year that the area sown in wheat would be practically back to normal, but the bad weather has upset calculations. Wheat sown early in May and which had come through the ground before the weather broke will be all right, but many crops which were put in later in the month and have been waterlogged etfer since will have to be written off. Although a few orders for seed have been coming in, the spring sowings of wheat is not likely to be a large one now, because most of the ground will not be fit to work for some weeks.

The present stocks of wheat are very low, and will all be required for local consumption. The market for Garton oats is lifeless, but Duns and Algerians of good quality have been in demand. Chaff is much firmer, with supplies scarce. Several large Government tenders have recently been completed for certified commercial ryegrass and certified cocksfoot. It is understood that more tenders will be called, and these will probably keep the market firm at present rates.