The Butter Trade

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 119, 28 March 1893, Page 2

The Butter Trade

Writings on February 3 a correspondent in London says : — •• The bottom has fairly dropped out of the butter market since my last remarks on the subject. Finest Australian is now selling at from 102 s to 106s and slow selling at that. Tho " slump " is not difficult of explanation when the mild weather and heavy stocks are considered ; but the iall was uot anticipated a week ago. The outlook is by no means favorable to a speedy return to better rates, but prophecy iv connection with the butter market is too risky. The state of affairs in London accurately reflects the state iv the proviuces. A London agent sent to a Newcastle firm to see if there was any ch&nce of getting better rates, and received the following reply :— •• Wo fear New Zealand butter will do no good here now. Danish is down to 106s to 110s, and bad sale." From the west come similar tales of woe. The only thing butter merchants can look forward to is a returu of the severe weather, which may put up prices a bit ; but the forecasts are not encouraging. The truth of the matter is that the market is glutting, and there will be little relief from this state for some weeks to come. Agents cannot and dare not hold for better rates in the faco of the heavy bulks en route, and must needs take such prices as buyers care to offer. The retail men are now advertising "Fall in Butter " on then* shop windows, and ex posing " Prime Colonial Grass Butter " for sale at Is and Is 2d per lb. And this in January, popularly supposed to be a month, of high prices." — Taranaki Herald.