HIGH IMPORTATION FROM AMERICA.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 268, 20 April 1917, Page 1 (Supplement)

HIGH IMPORTATION FROM AMERICA.

FUTURE CARGOES ASSURED. Owing to the importation in the last week of fifteen million eggs from America and Egypt the price of egge London markets, which had been gradually soaring for six months, has suddenly fallen. While eggs a week ago . to-day were selling at 90 cents to 1 dollar 14 cento a dozen, to-day the price dropped to 1 dollar .08 cents for the freshest variety and to 60 cents a dozen and even lower for other varieties. The average household egg that brought 90 cento a dozen a week ago is being sold to-day at 60 to 75 cento a dozen, according to tbo neighbourhood. A week ago there were almost no eggs in the market to bo had for less than 5 cento each, while to-day some of the larger markets are selling them as low as 3 cento, these being 6mall, but none the less fresh. That is what the importation of fifteen million eggs has done for London in one week. A wholesaler at the Tooley Street market told a New York Times' correspondent to-day that another huge cargo was coming over from America next week, while another shipment was expected from Egypt. These together are expected to approximate twenty million eggs. If they arrive there will be a further decline in the price of eggs in London. Never before in England had eggs reached the price of 1 dollar 14 cents a dozen, for which they were selling before those fifteen million arrived from America and Egypt. Nine cent, topnotchers were of a variety guaranteed as "absolutely fresh laid," while others equally palatable, but not laid within' a day or so of reaching the market, commanded 90 cento a dozen, or a trifle less, according to the neighbourhood. London and the market she caters to consume some twenty million eggs a day, and England has been supplying the bulk of this supply during the last six months, owing to the difficulty of getting imports from America, Canada, Egypt, and elsewhere. Of the fifteen million egge imported last week, seven million came from Egypt and the rest from America. Canada shipped over some twelve millions, but this was no more than her average weekly export to England, and was not counted in the aggregate of fifteen millions. As the Tooley Street importer explained, the mere importations of fifteen million eggs in a single week would have hardly an appreciable , effect on the market, except for a day l or 60, if it were not assured that there would be more coming, for that quantity would be quickly absorbed by the market. But it is expected that there will be a steady supply from now on, both from America and from Egypt. The New York Times' correspondent found American eggs selling for 4 cento each in Smithfield market, which compares favourably Washington Market, New York. Elsewhere the prices of American eggs ranged from 4 to 5 cento each, while the smallest of the Egyptian eggs were on sale at some of the stalls at eight for a shilling, or 3 cento a piece. Egg importers in London have been making big contracts with American firms for the last six months, one firm having given a standing order for three million eggs a week. Up to now it has not been possible to fulfil such a big contract weekly, but importers are hopeful for the future. "American eggs ar selling in London to-day for less than in New York," remarked one dealer. "That is because contracts were made some time ago. We can buy American eggs cheaper than English, pay the freight over, and sell them at prices under those of our English eggs, making a decent profit, tco."