PRICE OF BUTTER.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 August 1925, Page 4

PRICE OF BUTTER.

INCREASE OK In PER Ell. CTIIMSTCMI'UC'II, August 1. Following on the Uniting in prices on the London marnet local lactones increased the [nice by 1(1 a lb. thus bringing the wholesale price up to I s Pd. This at present is the retail price for most cite grocers arc continuing the policy of selling Imtter at cost. At the beginning of this week the retail price of factory butter was fs Kd a lb, hut during the week an advance of Id v.as made. As a general rule grocers sell butter at an advance of 2d on the wholesale [nice, but when the previous advance was made, increasing the wholesale ligui’e to Is Sd a lh, a “price cutting ” war sot in and the ultimate result was that many grocers sold their butter at cost. Whether this will lie continued remains to he seen.

It seems quite possible that there will he a still further rise in price. The firming of the London market lias caused sales for export ol hut ter that had been held hack for local consumption. The result is that many South Island factories which draw on the North Island to lill their winter requirements, will probably have to pay the latest export price. Is 7:Jd a lh. it is doubtful whether, with the added charges, the factories will he able to continue to sell butter to the grocers at Is !>d if they have to nay Is , :|d for it. The. rise in factory butter ill Christchurch lias been rellecLed in the price of other grades. Separator butter is now being retailed at Is 7d a. lh and dairv at Is (id.