Butter Production.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 April 1922, Page 3

Butter Production.

AUCKLAND RECORDS EXCEEDED

AUCKLAND, April 4

A striking record in butter production has been established in the Auckland district this season the receipts at the Farmers’ Freezing Co’s grading stores to the end of March exceeding last season’s record for a similar period by 234,513 boxes. The receipts to the end .of March this season totalled 938,802 boxes, compared with 704,280 for the corresponding period of last season. Some idea of how great and rapid the expansion or the butter industry has been during the last, two years is conveyed by the fact that in the season 1919-20 the butter received at the grading stores to the end of March was 425,970 boxes, considerably less than half the quantity received during the corresponding period of the present season. It is difficult to estimate the export vane of the butter this season. To the*end of March last season the export value of the butter received at the grading stores was approximately £4,930,000 the price paid by the Imperial authorities under the requisition being 2s 6d per lb. Owing to the slump in the London market early in the present season, prices for the early consignments probably would not greatly exceed Is per lb. .The present value of butter in London is about Is 7d per lb, and experts consider that a considerable portion of this year’s production will realise even higher prices. Assessing the value of this season’ output to tlie end of March at Is 3d per ID, the total value of tlie quantity produced for exports would be approximately £3,887,000. This is considered by experts to be a low estimate, and hopes are entertained that the returns for the period will considerably exceed four millions. The quantity of cheese received at the grading stores this season to the end of March totalled 115,292 crates, compared with 144,(i1l during the corresponding period of last season, a decrease of 29,349 crates.