and Copra
p. 32 · Read in the full issue
Samoan Prices
High
New Rates For Cocoa and Copra
From Our Own Correspondent APIA, August 24.
WAR conditions have affected the banana industry unfavorably, and banana shipments have been some what irregular.
Copra
AT present (August 21) the copra price paid locally is considerably below that paid in neighbouring Tonga and Fiji (£lB and £l6 per ton respectively), while the price to Euro pean producers at Apia is £B/5/- per ton.
August 28.
It is now announced that the Samoan Administration, in accordance with the policy of other South Seas Administra tions —notably, the Fiji and Tonga Gov ernments—has taken over the purchase and handling of Islands produce, like copra and cocoa-beans, and is arranging the shipping and sale of it. The follow ing prices have been fixed for the pur chase of copra from producers by copra merchants and traders as from August 24; Native Copra: Apia and “A” Dis trict, 9/- per 100 lb.; “B” and “C”
District, 8/6 per 100 lb.; “D” Dis trict, 8/3 per 100 lb.
European Copra, ex plantation, naked, £l2/12/6 per ton.
As to cocoa-beans, the following rates were fixed as on August 28: — Plantation hot-air-dried, delivered to store at Apia, in bags:— First grade: £72 per ton, lots and over; £7l per ton, under h ton lots, graded; £6B per ton, under ton lots, ungraded.
Second grade: £63 per ton, i-ton lots and over; £62 per ton, under i-ton lots.
Plantation sun-dried, delivered to store at Apia, in bags:— First grade: £67 per ton, i-ton lots and over; £66 per ton, under \ton lots, graded; £63 per ton, under ton lots, ungraded.
Second grade: £5B per ton, i-ton lots and over: £57 per ton, under i-ton lots.
Native sun-dried, prices effective as from 28/8/42: Apia and “A” District, 12 cents per lb.; “B,” “C” and “D” Districts, Ilf cents per lb.