THE HOME MARKETS.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 January 1916, Page 2

THE HOME MARKETS.

BUTTER AND CHEESE PRICES RISING. The Home agent of the National Dairy Association reports as follows, under date London, November 30:— The s.s. Otaki's shipment of butter, amounting to 20,222 boxes, has now, been cleared up. 'Prices opened at 100s and gradually went up to 104 a. The s.s. Tonic discharged a small cargo of 040 boxes of butter, the price of which will be 100s. Choice quality butters still continue very firm, and the inclination is for a further adivance. There is, however, a very big accumulation of secondary butters, mainly Siberian, but recent arrivals from New Zealand are showing better quality due to the transport during more favorable weather. Danish butter is again up in price and has gone up to lS2s. The import from Denmark during October was only s(i,Ssscwt., possibly the smallest quantity of Danish butter imported in any one month during: the last twenty years (the normal October import is 135,000 cwt.). T' ,! " indicates that Germany is still ihe major portion of the Danish m;i..e.

Despite the shortage in Danish and Swedish butters, the total imports for October far exceed anything previously recorded in the history of the trade, the total being 3SG,OOOcwt.. the normal October import being 200,000ewt. This exceptional increase is due entirely to the increase from Siberia representing largely butter which has been held up in transit, and therefore badly damaged It may be reasonably expected that butter will remain on a high level during this winter. I trust that you will not be tempted to sell any portion of your make even at what appears to be exceptional prices. The only thing that is to be feared. is that Danish butter may again get into the nineties; if so, and it touches 200s. there will again be a break in the market. The s.s. Rimutaka is now due with 50,000 boxes, and the prices will open at Ifllls. I hear that a big line of butter has already been sold ex this steamer at 104s, which looks like a cheap sale. Cheese prices continue to advance, due in a large measure to Government buying both in Canada and on the spot. English cheese is bringing big prices: Finest Cheshire 108s to UOs, others SiOs to 102s: finest Cheddar, 98s to 110s; others 90s to 90s; United States, S4s to 88s. We are now awaiting the arrival of the Rimutaka with 27,000 crates, and this will open the New Zealand market. At the present moment there are 95,000 crates of our cheese on the water that we know of; this may be increased slightly, as no record of the qua nilties on three of the smaller steamers is available.

The retail price for cheese varies, of course, according to locality and the class of retailers. The departmental stores, such as Harrod's, Whiteley's, and the Civil Service, are retailing Xew Zealand cheese at 11 \U\ to Is per 11). and English Cheddar at Is 2d. Many of the multiple shops, siu-h as Salisbury's, Home and Colonial, International, Liptons, etc.. are still selling what is termed Canadian at lOd and lid per lb. Thin includes Xew Zealand as well, as we are elas-ed under Canadian. This is the strength of the position, and as long as it lasts there will be a big demand for cheese. if the price is advanced generally to Is or Is 2d, then wc will find a change take (dace. Some of these stores have contracted ahead, which enables them to sell at the prices mentioned*