Islands Produce

THE following quotations were obtained In Sydney in mid-August:—

Coffee

Robusta, f.a.q., imported from Java on firm conversion of exchange, c.i.f., prompt shipment, Sydney (Sterling): Quote No. 1: 24/- per cwt.

Quote No. 2; 22/6 per cwt.

Robusta (f.o.b. Javan Old crop, 23/- to 25/6. (New crop temporarily withdrawn from market pending fixation of new price, which is ex pected to be slightly in advance of present rul ing price of old crop.) Robusta (f.a.q. in store Sydney): 7 7 / B d. per lb.

The price of Java Robusta has not fluctuated much over the past five years, as can be seen from the average prices made available by a Sydney importer:—l936, 22/9; 1937, 21/6 to 24/6; 1938, 18/4 to 21/6; 1939, 18/- to 20/-; 1940, 25/-. (Note: Importers of coffee from Java, etc., pay additional charges, including Exchange, duty 14d. lb.), primage (10 per cent.), landing costs (1/- per cwt.). war duty (10 per cent.). Coffee from Papua and New Guinea escapes most of these charges.) Kenya, f.a.q., immediate shipment, c.1.f., Sydney, per cwt. (Stg.): Quote No. 1; Grade “B”, 64 “C”. 60 - (Season closed). Quote No. 2: Grade “A”, 64/-; Grade “B”, 58/- (Sep tember shipment).

Mysore, f.a.q., c.i.f., Sydney, per cwt. Quote No. 1: Grade “A”, 74/-; “B”, 68/-; Triage, 62/- (Season closed).

Arabian (Aden) Hodeidah, f.a.q., c.i.f., Sydney.

No. 1 quotation; 84/- per cwt.

Papuan and New Guinea-grown coffee was quoted by one Sydney agent as follows: —Top grade: Bd. per lb.; 2nd grade: 7%d. per lb.; 3rd grade: 7y 2 d. per lb. Another importer re ports that some Papuan coffee (a similar type to Java Robusta) was sold in Sydney recently at 9d. a lb.

Kapok

Government-controlled prices:—Average Java, 6-7/16d. per lb., c.i.f. (Stg); Prime Japara. 6 3 /4d. per lb., c.i.f. (Stg). (Subject to exchange 25y 2 %, duty 2d. per lb., 10% primage, 10% war duty, wharfage, etc.).

Sydney quotations: Average Java, liy 2 d. lb.; Prime Japara, 12V 2 d. lb.

Ivory Nuts

Owing to the International situation, Sydney agents cannot quote for ivory nuts. The last quotations, several weeks ago, indicated that a nominal rate was in the vicinity of £7 per ton.

Cocoa

New Guinea cocoa: Quote No. 1: £4O per ton. Quote No. 2: £39-41. Quote No. 3; £4l.

Accra, good fermented, £32/10/- stg.

Rice

Rangoon rice, packed in 100 lb. bags, £l7/10/per ton; 200 lb. sacks, £l7/5/- per ton.

Australian table rice, packed In 56 lb. bags, £2O per ton.

Trochus Shell

Sydney agents report that there has been no recent activity on the Trochus shell market. The following nominal prices were given some weeks ago:—Quote 1: Grade “A”, £7B; “B”, £6B; “C”, £54. Quote 2: Grade “A”, £80; “B”, £69; “C”, £56. All quotes are f.0.b., and on the Australian £.

Mother of Pearl Shell

Since the outbreak of war, public auctions of M.O.P. shell in London have been suspended, according to Sydney agents.

Green Snail Shell

Green snail shell, quoted nominally by Sydney buyers:—Quote No. 1: £45-50. No. 2: £5O. No. 3: £5l.