PRODUCE PRICES.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 April 1924, Page 1

PRODUCE PRICES.

The following fire the London top quotations on April 4th:—

Butter:—The butter market has continued it; fall in spite of.all the efforts made by the London merchants handling New Zealand butter, to keep the price up to 170 s. Heavy shipments of Australian, Argentine and New Zealand butter is still on the water, whilst the shipments from New Zealand during Alarch, 8,800 tons will be heavier than any previous month this season. Tt must be borne in mind that Northern Hemisphere supplies are in view and supplies ..of Russian butters are expected to reach the United Kingdom early in Afay.

The fact that Danish butter hasbeen quoted at a considerable premium over New Zealand, has caused much comment in the newspapers lately. The position is that, during the past month, very large quantities of Danish butter have been sold to America and the Continent; consequently the quantities of Danish butter reaching the United Kingdom are not sufficient to cover the usual demand for Danish butter. Therefore the Danes have been able to keep their price up at a higher level, but it must be borne in mind tlmt there are only small quantities of Danish butter reaching the market in the United Kingdom. New Zealand and Southern Hemisphere butter is really being quoted ■’* the market value, but Danish is olrtaining a premium. However, the American demand has fallen off, and during the past week, the Danes have had to drop their price, and Danish is now quoted at a reduced premium.

Cheese.—The cheese market is still week, but there is a silghtly healthier feeling. However, there n.ve very heavy shipments of New Zealand cheese still afloat and to arrive. Consequently. we do not anticipate any very rapid recovery. Canadian fodder cheese is already being quoted lor Afay shipment at 79s c.i.f.

A REDUCED OUTPUT

AY ELLINGTON. April 7

All- AA'. Al. Singleton, Dairy Commissioner, reports that the salted butter graded for March. 1921, was 5552 tons, and the unsalted 171 toils, a total of 5720 tons, compared with 0623 tons salted and 459 tons unsalted, a total of 7082 tons for Alarch of last year, or a decrease of 19.1 per cent. For the 'eight months ended Alarch. 1924, the respective quantities were -18.187 tons and 3179 tons, a total of SL3GG tons, compared with 55.74 G tons and 3761 tons, a total of 59,507 tons, a decrease of 13.6 per cent.

The cheese graded for Alarch, 1924, comprised ; white 4803 tons anti coloured 2661 tons, a total of 7463 tons, compared with 5239 tons of white anti 312-1 tons of coloured, a total of 8363 tons, a, decrease 1 of 10.7 per cent.

The quantities for the eight months ending Afareh, 1924, were: White 37,404 tons, coloured 22.854 tons, a total of 60,408 tons, compared with 32,066 tons white, and 18,033 tons coloured, a total of 50.099 tons, an increase of 20.5 per cent. Converting these figures into liuttoifat equivalent, there is a decrease of 4.1 nor cent, in butter-fat production for the eight, months, as compared with the corresponding period of 19?2-2.1. Stocks held in the various grading ports at- Alarch 31st: 1924, were; Butter 1972 tons, cheese 49i9 tons.