DAIRY PRODUCE MARKET.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 372, 25 April 1910, Page 2

DAIRY PRODUCE MARKET.

NEW ZEALAND BUTTER AND CHEESE. GOOD PROSPECTS IN ENGLAND. The Minister for Industries and Commerce has received the following market report on the dairy produce market, by the Produce Commissioner, London, dated February 25th: — Since making my last report to you concerning dairy produce, the markets for both butter and cheese have continued satisfactory. Although last weex there was a slight weakening in values consequent upon the extremely high prices recently prevailing having caused retailers to give their orders with extreme caution, this has been only temporary. The supply of Continental butter this year has been in moderate compass, caused very largely by the increased consumption in Germany. That country is becoming steadily a growing consumer, and it is now recognised as an important factor in determining the value of butter on the English market. So much is this the case that the weekly quotations fixed by the Copenhagen Butter Committee for Danish butter are influenced very greatly by the demand in the German market, and are not now so dependent on English values as formerly. The recognition of a reduction in supplies to come forward from the Continent has given firmness to holders' demands, and as retailers' requirements had only been filled for immediate necessities, prices have again recovered. and are now equal to those ruling a fortnight ago.

From this it will be seen that there is a good prospect for the sale of butter for some time. The total imports of butter for the past there weeks are considerably less than during the corresponding period last year. Although the receipts of colonial butter this year hare made, a considerable advance, this has not equalled the reduction of supplies coming from the Continent. 1 am pleased to report that the demand for New Zealand butter is greatlyassisted by the excellent quality of the article. I have recently been in the North, and have interviewed may persons in the chief towns throughout the country who are handling New Zealand butter* and in only one instance have I.met with a complaint of quality.

New Zealand butter this season is j being steadily distributed throughout' the country, and is being more strongly pushed in new districts than in former years. In the north-east of England complaint which was formerly made in Lancashire concerning the shape of the package-boxes is met with, and the desire is expressed to have New Zealand butter packed in casks. If this were done it is asserted that the demand would at once largely increase. 1 find, however, - that the distribution in that country is largely growing, and that those handling it are satisfied with the quality. I am o.f opinion, therefore, that it is only the question of a short time until the prejudice noted in the northeastern part of England is overcome, as it. has been in the districts served from Liverpool and Manchester. Like butter, the cheese market has also been • satisfactory. In Liverpool and Manchester districts more cheese than formerly is being handled from New Zealand, in the norrh-eastern district, however, there is not much going into consumption, althoueh I am pleased to report that, like butter, there are evidences of the demand improving. The price of New Zealand cheese is about 60s per cwt. for white, but although the supply of colored cheese is more equal to the demand than for some time has been the case, the difference of Is in value, making it s!)s per cwt., still continues. On the whole, the outlook for cheese realising satisfactory prices during this season is good.