Butter-Making in Japan

Horowhenua Chronicle, 7 April 1913, Page 4

Butter-Making in Japan

Australia had begun to look upon Japan as a market for butter, but the local producers is now ousting tile imported .article. A liritish iirm at Yokohama, in ordering 50 cases of butter from a Sydney house at Is per lb, e.i.f., writes:—"Threo or four years ago wo we>re the largest importers of Australian butter into Japan, buying our requirements through a Brisbane firm. We took not less than 100 cases at a time, and we have taken 800 or !)00 cases during the season. Since the duty was raised, and Australian prices have gone up so high on account of dry weather, we have done practically nothing. The Japanese, taking advantage of the high prices ruling for Australian, butter and protected by the import duty of 4id per lb., have worked hard at increasing theii own output, liind to-day have practically monopolised tho market, being able to sell their own butter 20 per cent, cheaper than the imported I article. Local hotels, restaurants, shipping offices and storekeepers, both foreign and Japanese, aro now using and selling Japanese butter, as the price is cheap, and tho quality is improving all the time. Tho importation of Australian butter into Japan is practically finished, unless it can be furnished at lOd to lid c.i.f., Japan for first quality pats, say, during April and May, to arrive in June and July, which is tho commencement of the summer season, ulien the Japanese manufacturers experience difficulty in keeping their butter fresh owing to the lack of cold storage accommodation. The output is on the increase, but it is not sufficient to meet demands, though in a short space of time—we should say in twelve to eighteen months, or two years—you will find very little butter imported into this country." The Japanese have been importing dairy stock from Tftirope. Holsteins and Ayrehires being the breeds most favoured.