DAIRY EXPORT TRADE

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 125, 24 February 1928, Page 16

DAIRY EXPORT TRADE

WEATHER AND DECREASED PRODUCTION DECLINE IN SHIPMENTS An interesting statement concerning the prospects of the dairy export trade during the autumn appears iu the monthly review in the “Exporter” by the chairman of the Dairy Board (Mr. W. Grounds). “To those who have observed the weather conditions experienced in the Auckland Province during the last few months—in some parts there has been no appreciable rain since the middle of October last—it is a source of surprise that the grading figures have kept up to the level recorded,” remarks Mr. Grounds. “Production in other provinces has been affected, although not to the same degree, by the continued drv weather, all' now being in need of rain. In view of all teh circumstances, it' was satisfactory that January’s returns still showed a small increase over the previous January in butter (2.9 per cent) and cheese (4.5 per cent.) . Grouping butter and cheese production on a butter-fat basis for the six months, August 1 to January 31, an increase of 10.5-1 per cent, is shown, as compared with last year. The increase for the five months up to December 31 stood at 12. G per cent. London Prices. “The level at which butter prices stood a month ago led to some brands being withdrawn from the market, while in some cases shipment from New Zealand was suspended by dairy companies. This, together with cabled intimations to London of decreased autumn production owing to drought conditions, appeared to react upon prices, which firmed approximately 10s. to 161 s. to 1665., cheese at the same time moving upwards from 88s. to 90s. to 925. to" 935. Unsalted butter has been standing at a very moderate premium over salted, notwithstanding that Dutch unsalted has been quoted at an average of approximately 30s. in excess of New Zealand unsalted.” The Season’s Shipments. , Dairy produce shipments from August 4, 1927, to the end of February, 1928, .and the same period for this season, '1920-1027, are as follow:—

These figures give a grand estimated decrease for the season of 24,945 boxes of butter and 42,734 crates of cheese. 'The gradings to the end of January showed: Butter, 13.5 per cent, increase, or 247,000 boxes: cheese, 3.9 per cent, increase, or 24,300 crates.

Butter (boxes). 1T0 London This s’son. Last s'son. .. 1,569,457 1,252,246 „ Avonmouth .. 38,844 52,619 i„ Liverpool „ Manchester .. 39,713 43,720 .. 17,512 22,978 l„ Glasgow ..... .. 41,385 44.142 ,r - ■ ■ 1 ■--- Totals . 1,706,911 1.415.705 Increase: 291,206 boxes. Cheese (crates). This s'son. Last s’son. To London .. 531,309 485.970 ,, Avonmouh . 32,741 23.703 „ Liverpool .... .. 18,214 14,489 „ Manchester .. 12,184 .. 21,146 8,527 „ Glasgow 15.714 Totals ■ 615,594 548.412 Increase: 67.182 crates. To countries outside Britain:— Butter (boxes). This s'son. Last s'son. 1T0 New York .. . 49,532 31,332 „ Panama .. 3,000 5,500 ! „ Halifax ...... . 131,019 37,450 Vancouver . 118,715 , 48,750 Australia .... . 82,000 x 39,291 „ Other countries . 20,800 10,571 405.066 172,894 Increase: 232,172 boxes. The total exports for this season are 2,111,977 boxes, or an increase of 524,378 boxes over last season. Shipments to Great Britain for the remainder of this season may be: — Butter (boxes). This s’son. Last s'son. March . 190,000 240,123 269,083 April . 170,000 May . 150,000 217,539 June . 100,000 128,997 July . 100,000 161,400 ■ II 1 I — 710,000 1,026,151 Decrease: 316,131 boxes. Cheese (crates). This s’son. Last s’son. (March April . 130,000 113,992 . 115,000 119,855 May . 115,000 102,021 June 35,000 87,261 July . 15,000 96,787 410,000 519,916 Decrease: 109,916 crates.