BRITISH BUTTER IMPORTS.

Shannon News, 30 December 1921, Page 4

BRITISH BUTTER IMPORTS.

FOR CONTEMPORARY PERIODS IN 1913 AND 1921.

, As more than usual interest is centred in butter at the present time, the imports for nine months in 1913, the last normal year prior to the war, and for a similar period in 1921, will be of value. The figures go to show that in 1913 the imports to the United Kingdom were 3,203,497 cwts as against 2,823,078 ewt in 1921, the lat- 1 ter year, therefore-, having a shortage of 375,419 cwts, or 18,770 tons. On these figures, the Imperial stocks over which there is much contention at present, and which amount roughly to 20,000 tons, are not such a formidable factor after all, and only make.' up the margin of difference in the imports of the -two years referred to. An examination of the returns shows some rather notable comparisons. All the European butter-manufactur-ing countries have fallen awajy in their outputs to a remarkable 1 degree, whilst the Australian States, New Zealand, Argentine and Canada have largely increased their make. In 1913 Russia landed 630,618 cwt in Britain, as against nil in 1921, Sweden has dropped from 246,418 cwt to 3 cwt, Denmark from 1,288,804 cwt to 929,649 cwt, Netherlands from 130,465 cwt to 62,237 cwt, and France 198.568 cwt to 398 cwt. The most important export countries in the present; year were Argentine, which increased its manufacture from 59*709 cwt in 1913 to ; 358,592 cwt. in 1921; New Zealand, 195,093- cwt to cwt; Victoria, 174,387 cwt to 374,987 cwt; New SouthWales, 119,557 cwt to 191,451 { cwt; Queensland, 131,293 cwt to 188,037

cwt; and Canada, 813 cwt to 39,645 cwt. The full list of imports from the respective countries is as follows;.

The stocks of cheese in the United Kingdom as at November 1, 1913, and at the same date in 1921, are also given as follows:

These returns show that whereas there was a shortage of 37,000 boxes of Canadian and U.S/ cheese in 1921, there was-an excess of 43,000 crates of New Zealand aAd Australian cheese on hand at the same period.

1S13 - 1921 cwt. cwt. Russia 630,618 — Sweden 346,418 3 Denmark 1,288,804 929,649 Netherlands 130,465 62,237 France 198,568 , 398 U.S.A. 51 1,910 Argentine 59,709 358,592 Victoria ' 174,387 374,987 New South Wales 119,557 191,451 Queensland 131,293 188,037 New Zealand 195,093 613,708 Canada 913 39,645 Other countries " 27,721 67,461 3,203,497 2,828,078

Canadian 1913 1921 Boxes. Boxes, and States 306,000 269,000 N.Z. and ■ Crates. Crates. Australian' • 200 43,300