Islands Produce

—I“HE following quotations were obtained in * Sydney in mid-December: —

Coffee

Robusta, f.a.q., imported from Java on firm conversion of exchange, c.1.f., prompt shipment, Sydney (Sterling): Price fixed by Government at 36/6 per cwt. (Note: Importers of coffee from Java, etc., pay additional charges, including Exchange, duty (4.4 d. lb.), primage (11 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”, 66/-; “C”, 64/- (New Season’s).

Mysore, f.a.q., c.i.f., Sydney, per cwt. Quote No. 1; Ships’ assortment, 64/-, Jan.-March ship ment. Quote No. 2 (c.i.f., Sydney): Grade “A”, 66/-; “B”, 62/-; “C”, 59/-; Triage, 56/-; Ship’s assortment, 64/- per cwt.

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

No. 1 quotation: 84/6.

New Guinea and Papuan grown coffee was quoted in Sydney last month at prices ranging from 7 3 /4d. to 8 3 /4d. per lb. In view of the sharp rise in the Government-controlled Java market from 2973 to 36/6, however, a rise in Islands coffee prices is anticipated.

New Caledonian coffee: A Sydney firm states that some business has been done at the follow ing prices:—Arabica, from liy 2 d. to KT/sd., ac cording to quality; Robusta, 8 3 /4d. lb.

Kapok

Java (Government-controlled prices).—Average Java, 6-3/16d. per lb., c.i.f. (Stg.); Prime Japara, eVid. per lb., c.i.f. (Stg.). Subject to exchange 2572%, duty 2d. per lb., 10% primage, 10% war duty, wharfage, etc.

Sydney quotations: Average Java, HVid. lb.; Prime Japara, ll%d. lb.; Prime Java, 12V2d. lb.

Ivory Nuts

Owing to the International situation, Sydney agents are not quoting for ivory nuts. The last quotations, some months ago, Indicated that a nominal rate was in the vicinity of £7 per ton.

Cocoa

New Guinea cocoa: Quote No. 1: £39-41 per ton. Quote No. 2: £39-41.

Accra, good fermented, £33/10/- per ton (Sterling).

Rice

Rangoon rice, packed in 100 lb. bags, £l9/10/per ton; 200 lb. sacks, £l9 per ton.

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

Trochus Shell

A Sydney agent reports that a limited quan tity of Trochus shell was sold during November at the following prices:—Grade “A”, £57/10/-; Grade “B”, £4B/5/-; Grade “C”, £37/10/-; “Chicken”, £37/10/-.

Green Snail Shell

Green snail shell, quoted by Sydney buyers:— Quote No. 1: £5O. No. 2: £52.