the Hop Trade

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 115, 14 March 1885, Page 3

the Hop Trade

(British Trade Journal, January l.> The hop trade seems to he very dull just at present, and the result of the gradual reduction in values appears to be that the buyers of hop have changed their tactics, and have adopted a system of taking hops more as .they require, them. It is a monstrously roundabout proceeding if, when a brewer, requires 1000 or 100 pockets of hops, he has to go to a merchant, who, in his turn, goes' to a factor to buy the irequired hops, or, frequently, in these degenerate days, borrows samples to show the brewer. This must entail friction and expense which the producer clearly has to pay ultimately. A practice i has prevailed for some time, and in late years has been considerably, extended, of planters sellv^^ing to brewers; but, in most cases, this has been accomplished through a merchant without the interinendiary faotor. The merchant takes a commission and undertakes the details of delivery, and is to practical purposes a factor; and the extension of this system shows pretty plainly that the merchant, in the ordinary acceptance of the term, will soon be eliminated from Hie scene. Now this system has its advantages. Planters are pretty sure to sell their growths. They have a certain " channel" for them, and are so far relieved from anxiety. But the great disadvantage is that they cannot sell until it pleases the brewer to move, aud then they are compelled to take the price offered, or probably they would miss the market for the year and lose their channel. The price offered m these circumstancs may or may not be a fair market price, and the sale is obviously somewhat of a " hole and corner" . one in which the seller is too much hampered by conditions and consequences. Still, this is, perhaps, in a degree, better than having two intermediaries between sellers and buyers. It is most desirable for both sellers and buyers that there should, be. a more open market for hops, a market more resembling other markets for produce, and it is probable that the events of this season will hasten such a consummation.