Produce Prices
p. 127 · Read in the full issue
Unless otherwise stated, quotations are in Australian currency. Australian dollar equals $l.OO New Zealand; 9/7 Fiji; 98 French Pacific francs; 80 cents Western Samoa; $l.OO Tonga; 9/3 sterling and
$1.12 Usa.)
Copra
PAPUA-NEW GUINEA:—AII production is delivered to Copra Marketing Board, controlled by six members, including three planters’ representatives. The board directs distribution and sales, and makes pay ments to the producers. Production goes mainly to (a) Unilever, in UK, (b) Aus tralia for local consumption, (c) crushing mill in Rabaul, and (d) Japan (surplus as available). Prices generally tally with ruling rates in Philippines.
P-NG purchase prices for copra de livered main ports in August were hot air dried, $163 per ton; FMS $l6O per ton; smoke-dried, $l5B per ton.
FIJI:—The Fiji Coconut Industry Board fixes the prices to be paid for Fiji copra on a formula based on that for Philippines copra, and taking into account freight, taxes, selling costs, shrinkage, etc. The copra must be graded at centres in Suva, Levuka, Lautoka, Savusavu and Taveuni. Prices in Suva until “further notice” were; Ist grade. £F62/5/-; 2nd grade. £FS7/5/-; CAS, £F47. A scale of deductions has been established for copra delivered to grading centres other than Suva.
WESTERN SAMOA:—AII production is sold to the Copra Board of Western Samoa at fixed prices. The Board makes payments to producers through its agents — the local firms—and sells the copra on the open market with a portion of Abels Ltd., NZ. Prices in Aug. were SWSI27 for grade one. SWSI27 for grade one sun dried, and SWSII4 for grade two.
TONGA: All copra is sold to the Tonga Copra Board which sends It to Europe and the open market. August prices to growers were STBS first grade and ST73 second grade.
SOLOMON IS.: All production marketed through official BSI Copra Board, at prices based on Philippines rate. Output goes to Unilever, UK; to Australian crushers; and the balance on to the open narket. Prices on Aug. 13 were: Ist jrade, $140; 2nd grade, $136; 3rd grade,