DAIRY PRODUCE

Hokitika Guardian, 22 January 1927, Page 1

DAIRY PRODUCE

—-<Ss*“ ■ OPTIMISTIC Mi VIE V.

WELiLINGTOX, Jan. 20

The dairy position to-day is infinitely sounder from all points ol view than * at any time within the last twelve months, states the “New Zealand Dairy Produce Exporter,” in a review of the dairy outlook. Prices are 6n a parity with last January with much more promise of stability. review oi all factors warrants a sanely optimistic attitude. To all appearances the dairy industry is giving a needed lead in the regeneration of trade. The importance of the dairy industry to national income is emphasised by the iact that the advance value of December’s production of Imtter and cheese as delivered to the grading store is £2,32-5,900 on shipment thereof. The pay-out on January 20th. to dairy suppliers throughout the country in respect of December’s make may be -set as approximately £2,000.000. Allowing for Iho fact that many companies will draw a reduced rate as against- store warrants a,ml also allowing for individual variations of differnt companies, butter prices for this season since mid-December hare averaged a shade better than last year, ranging on an even level from 170 s to 1745. Last year the market was irregular between 162 s to 174 s and on occasions 170 s. Cheese is a little lower. Market prices and rates of advance approximate those ruling this time last year. Production this season is greater and more money is going into circulation than twelve months ago. For the five months ended December 31st.. there was produced 2833 tons more butter and 860 tons more cheese. On conservative valuations that is worth an extra £487,000. If tho rate of production continues, the good season, compared with last year’s season, should mean about £1.000,000 more to the country. A marked improvement in quality is being shown this season in both butter and cheese, primarily due to the Board’s premiums for quality. Gradings up to December 31st. show that 1 1.5 per cent, of all butter shipped was graded as finest and 48.5 per cent, of cheese, these figures being ahead of any any previous season of th is period. What was likely to he an important factor in this year’s marketing was the widening of the industry’s markets. Markets other than London would this year absorb approximately 26,000 tons of dairy produce. West Coast of England ports would receive 22.000 tons, a 50 per cent, increase on any year; Canada had bought so far 2200 tons. New York 500 tons with prospects of more, and Australia over 1090 tons, although none of that might now go. The development of the West Coast trade was considered very promising as large industrial markets were easily tapped thereby and the Board planned to assist such expansion by advertising efforts in the first of which £SOOO would he spent in four weeks, and would begin at Birmingham this month. By it. a market of 2.000.0fH) people would he reached.