Islands Produce

THE following quotations were obtained in Sydney in mid-February;—

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 41/- 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.i.f., Sydney, per cwt. (Stg.): Quote No. 1: Grade “B”, 65/-; “C”, 62/- (New Season’s).

Mysore, f.a.q., c.i.f., Sydney, per cwt. Quote No. 1: Ship’s assortment. Government pool formed, Grade “A”, 82/-; Grade “B”, 76/-; Grade “C”, 69/-. (It has been reported in Sydney, however, that parcels have been bought at prices lower than the above official quo tations.) Quote No. 2 (c.i.f., Sydney): Grade “A”, 73/-; Grade “B”, 66/-; Triage, 60/-.

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

No. 1 quotation; 84/-.

New Guinea and Papuan grown coffee was quoted in Sydney in mid-February at prices ranging from Bd. to 9d. per lb.

New Caledonian coffee: A Sydney firm stated recently that business has been done at the following prices:—Arabica, from liy 2 d. to 10y B d. according to quality; Robusta, B%d. lb.

Kapok

Java (Government-controlled prices).—Average Java, 6-7/16d. per lb., c.i.f. (Stg.); Prime Japara, 6%d. per lb., c.i.f. (Stg.). Subject to exchange 251/2%, duty 2d. per lb., 10% primage, 10% war duty, wharfage, etc.

Sydney quotations: Average Java, 12d. lb.; Prime Japara, 12y 4 d. lb.; Prime Java, 12y 2 d. 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: £4O-43 per ton. Quote No. 2: £4O-43.

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

Rice

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

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

Trochus Shell

Quote No. 1: Grade “A”, £57/10/-; Grade “B”, £4B/5/-; Grade “C”, £37/10/-; “Chicken” £37/10/-.

Another agent states that nominal prices are as follows:—Grade “A”, £6O; Grade “B” £5O - “C”, £4O.

Green Snail Shell

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