POTATO MARKET

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 September 1938, Page 3

POTATO MARKET

POSITION IN CANTERBURY RISE IN PRICES (By Telegraph —Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, September 9. Three thousand tons of Red Dakota potatoes, purchased under the Government scheme at £3 a ton, sacks in, will be shipped to South America by the Port Melbourne from Lyttelton towarc the end of September. Arrangements have been made for the vessel to call at Lyttelton to load the shipment oi potatoes, the heaviest of the season. The only other export of potatoes this season has been of 600 tons to South America, the shipment being made by the Port Alma, which left Lyttelton on August 30 for Montevideo. The export of potatoes from New Zealand last year amounted to 21,000 tons. The coming shipment of potatoes was arranged this week during a visit to Canterbury of Mr F. R. Picot, Director of Internal Marketing. All potatoes have been purchased in Canterbury, supplies coming from the Ellesmere, Darfield and Rangiora districts. Lots have also been obtained from areas south to Ashburton. South Canterbury growers do not participate in the shipment. Stocks of white potatoes, which are considered unsuitable for the South American market, are held there in large quantities, estimated to be 5000 tons. A week ago potatoes were quoted at 30s a ton on the Canterbury markets, which were glutted. The Government’s purchase for export has had the effect of stabilising the price at £3 a ton. Stocks held are very heavy. It was originally reported that the first shipment loaded in the Port Alma would be 2000 or 3000 tons, but this was later reduced to 600 tons, the price being £3 a ton on trucks, sacks in, equal to £2 10s to £2 12s 6d a ton on. trucks, sacks extra, which merchants were paying at the time. Negotiations are now being made for further shipments overseas, and hopes are held that a large quantity will be exported.