DAIRY EXPORTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 July 1921, Page 7

DAIRY EXPORTS.

PRICES FOR THE FUTURE. Directors of dairy factories are usually busy at this time of the year in considering how best to dispose of their output of butter and cheese for the. season about to open. But the times are not usual. Exportable butter, for instance, has for some years past, been sold to one customer — the Imperial Government; this year butter and cheese will be disposed of in one of the two customary ways—consignment on behalf of the dairy companies, or sales of the output in whole or part (says the Wellington Post). The unparalleled dry conditions of Northern Europe and Canada, including Great Britain, has become an important factor in the situation. Some factories have already disposed of relatively large quantities of butter made since March 31, on consignment for August-September shipment, at Is lid to Is 11 id per lb. Some South Island cheese factories have, it is understood, an idea of Is per pound f.o.b. as their price for selling outputs. It is generally accepted that the policy of the South Island cheesein akers is to sell their produce before the opening of the season. They did so last year, and sold up to Is 2}d per lb. The drought has made all the difference. At one time it looked as if both butter and cheese prices were going to be very much lower than they are likely to be. Great Britain’s loss through the drought will be New Zealand’s gain, however, and good values are likely to rule. The cheese produced in England, Scotland and Wales is very large in quantity, much larger than is generally supposed in New Zealand. It must be seriously affected by the drought, now 88 days in duration; but I its quantity is unknown, as no statistics ’ are kept. It is made on the farms and sent, into the local markets, and disposed I of in that way. There will also be a seri‘sus shortage of butter made and stored.

In any case, the outlook for New Zealand daily produce exports for the new season 1921-22 is brighter than anyone dared to hope for in, say, March last. Something will, of course, depend on the freights to be charged for the carriage of butler and cheese. These are presently to be discussed between the shipping companies and the New Zealand and South Island Dairy Associations.