PRODUCE PRICES

Hokitika Guardian, 13 August 1932, Page 6

PRODUCE PRICES

BUTTER. Last month say a steady improvement in the butter market . throughout the United Kingdom, once the weak sellers had. beep satisfied, and this improvement, as far as. New Zealand butters are concerned continued throughout July, London prices rising from £9a, on the 2nd. July to 106 s on: the 23rd July. At-this stage, Danish was settling at. 121 s 6d in the U.K. and. with, the peak of ■ their sesan and Ottawa facing them ,there was-heavy .pressure to sell, and this undoubtedly, caused uneasiness in the mind of the buyers,, \yith a consequent collapse in .the prices of Danish. , which dropped back to 114 s 6d and Ills, during the next two week,s.. That N.Z. only weakened 6d per cwt during, that periocL is a. point for /congratulation and -was, no doubt, assisted by. .the fact , thati. spot stocks, are below normal. On the other hand, afloats arc heavy and’ in,. consequence, w-e cannot expect to do move than hold our own .during the coming!’ month.. Gradings for 12 months. show, an . increase of 7»TBQ toils of buttef pr 7.40 per cent. -•

Stocks in New Zealand are considerably heavier than last year being 5475 tons on the 31st July against 2021 last year. This is undoubtedly the result of the mild winter we have experienced, freshly made butter being available in many parts, which have depended upon stored butter in previous years. ; * .CHEESE. CheesJ has been somewhat disappointing, and although spot stocks in the United Kingdom have, been short, prices weakened. Consumption has been undoubtedly affected by the low values of meat of all . descriptions. The. warmer weather in the U.K. during July and August should, however, improve the consumption of cheese and with a 'favourable statistical position, the market is expected to firm up- again. Gradings for 'the twelve months show hut little alteration as compared with last year, being 88,194 tons, a decrease of 1035 tons or 1.16 per cent.

A rogretable feature at the present time is a serious complaint from London of black spot developing in'spine of our coloured cheese. -Sample 3 have been returned to . the Dominion and as the matter is now being investigated by the Dairy Division of the Agricultural Department it is hoped that\ a solution of the mystery w.ill soon bo available. Ip, the meantime, the oomp!"int has ' undoubtedly affected, the . price pf New Zealand coloured cheese , generally, , ,