PRICE OF BUTTER.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17419, 1 April 1922, Page 11

PRICE OF BUTTER.

FURTHER RISE OF 2d. It is understood that a further advanoe, of 2d per pound, will take place in the price of butter as from "to-day. The retail cost will be Is Sd per pound. The rise is not unexpected by observers of the butter market in Pingland. A firming tendency has been reported during fortnight, to such an extent that leading dairy companies ir: tlie Auckland province have substantially increased their advances to suppliers, one instance being from BJd to Is per pound. The High Commissioner's cable on March 18th quoted New Zealand butter at 148 a to 160s per cwt. (Is B\d to Is 4d), and a week later the quotation had advanced to ' 3 15*03 per cwt. (Is 6Jd to Is 7Jd per pound). Advice received in Auckland a few days later indicated a further slight advance, quotations touching 182s. It is reported fsom the North Island that a number of" factories will bo kept operating later this year than usual in order to allow suppliers to participate in the improved prices and compensate to some extent for the low values ruling during the flush of the season. This will also assist to provide against a possible shortage, a contingency, though somewhat remote, in view of the probability of shipments increasing in sympathy with the improvement in the Home market. It is generally considered in the trade that the butter market will continue to firm, and in that case consumers need not anticipate a return of the prices ruling a month or so ago.