WEDDELL & CO.'S REVIEW.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 December 1921, Page 12

WEDDELL & CO.'S REVIEW.

IMPORTED DAIRY PRODUCE TN THE , UNITED KINGDOM. CHEESE IMPORTS FROM EMPIRE SOURCES. Among the interesting points brought out in W. Weddel and Company’s review of the imported dairy produce trade of the United Kingdom for the ‘‘slump” year ended June 30 last are: The record imports of Empire produced butter; the great decline in consumption of margarine; the fact that : practically the whole of the cheese imports were from Empire sources; and the growth and possibilities of the dried and condensed milk trade. As an example of the “slump” witnessed during the year Messrs. Weddel quote the decline in price of colonial butter between February and May of the present year from 336 s per cwt. to 192 s per cwt.; but reductions to a similar, and occasionally even greater, extent were experienced all round, causing the greatest possible anxiety to the business interests concerned. The total imports of butter into the United Kingdom from overseas during the twelve months ending June 30,

1921. were 140,213 tons. This is almost double the quantity imported during any of the previous three years, but it is considerably short of the pre-war figure of about 200,000 tons. The imports of Empire-produced butter were 65,886 tons, as compared with 30,764 tons in. the preceding year and 39.830 tons in 1913. This is a new record, and, in view of the uncertainty and changing conditions in foreign producing countries is most, gratifying in every w%y. For the four years before the war the percentage of Empire-pro-duced butter imported was 23.5 per cent., whereas for the twelve months ending June 30 this year it was practically 47 per cent. (46.99 per cent.). Imports from Canada amounted to 995 tons. Importations of New Zealand butter last year amounted to 28,085 tons, as compared with 12.586 tons in the preceding year. With a view to still fur- I ther improving the quality and stan- I dard of their first grade butter, it is reported that New Zealanders are considering the desirability of increasing the points required for first grade from a minimum of 88 points to a minimum of 90 points. From Australia 36,214 tons of butter were received, as compared with 15.754 tons last year, and 16,342 tons in 1919. Butter factories generally throughout Australia have been equipped with pasteurisers, and are in a better position to-day, Messrs. Weddel state, to make a first class article than ever before in the history of the industry. From South Africa only 592 tons of butter were imported. Practically the whole of that countrv had suffered very

severely from the drought, and up to February of tliis year the production scarcely sufficed for local requirements. In fact, at one period South Africa imported several shipments of European butter. The number of dairying establishments registered under the Dairy Industries Act in South Africa up to March 31 last shows an increase of nine creameries and sixteen cream depots over those of the previous year. Arrivals from the Argentine Republic were the heaviest on record, totalling 149,4’23' tons. Argentina also shipped ■ considerable quantities elsewhere, including 25.000 boxes to France, 77,000 boxes to Italy, 61,000 to U.S.A., and i 37,7'50 boxes to various other markets. Much of the shortage in the general supplies of imported butter, as compared with pre-war days, is to be | accounted for by the absence of Siberian butter. The United Kingdom used to receive 30.000 to 40.000 tons from Russia every year, but during the past year only 501 tons came to hand. Shipments to the United States of America of colonial and European butters which previously came to the United Kingdom continued during the past year, if anything, on a larger scale than previously. Government “control,” in Messrs. Weddel’s opinion, has been mainly responsible for the diversion or these large shipments, which the United Kingdom could ill afford to lose. There is, however, but little prospect of the U.S.A, continuing to import butter from New Zealand, in view of the tariff of 6 cents per lb recently imposted upon all imported butter. Throughout the year the consumption of cheese was abnormal, notwithstanding the high price of Is 8d per lb retail, at which it remained for practically the whole period. The arrivals from New Zealand head the list with 68,512 tons, and, although this is barely such a large quantity as last year, it is about double the pre-war quantity received from that country. From Canada

55.134 tons were received. The visible supply at the commencement of June, 1920, was very large; in fact, larger than at almost any previous date in the history of the trade, and yet within twelve months the wjiole supply has gone into consumption. This would tend to show that cheese, as one of the staple articles of food, is as popular as ever. Indeed, it would seem as if the public of the United Kingdom were more and more realising that cheese is one.of the most nutritious articles of food which they can buy. During the past season New Zealand cheese did not fully maintain the high reputation which that Dominion had previously’ earned for its product. The quality’ was not up to standard, Messrs. Weddel state, some being loosely made and containing too much moisture, while there were also complaints of poor flavor and bad keeping properties. On the other hand, it is stated that the quality of Canadian cheese was uniformly good; in fact, in the history of the trade it has seldom been excelled. Very serious complaints were heard with regard to the quality, packing, and handling of Australian cheese, which fell far short of New Zealand, Canadian, and other descriptions. Throughout the greater part of the year under review spot prices remained steady, imported eheddar cheese being generally within the limits of 145 s to 160 s per cwt. In April the market began to show signs of weakness, and it became evident that these high prices could no longer be maintained. A number of facts contributed to the changed position, including large late arrivals of New Zealand cheese and an unusually early make of Canadian. The result was a collapse in prices the like of which, according to Messrs. Weddel, it may be safely said has seldom been witnessed in the history of the cheese business. The commencement of the phenomenal dry weather experienced in the United Kingdom this year, however, together with heavy speculative buying by a section of the trade, soon put prices on a much higher level again, and at the close of the year under review the mar- i ket had recovered to 106 s to 1114 s -for ; New Zealand and 104 s to 110 s for Canadian, with prices tending upwards. Cheese valpoM A sympathy with other

articles of food, would seem to have passed tfieir zenith, and Messrs. Weddel advise producers to realise that the tendency in the future must necessarily be in the direction of lower levels. During the period under review the dried milk trade continued, to make progress. A year ago stocks in the United Kingdom were very heavy, including a considerable proportion of stale quality. There was the inevitable drop in prices, and business proved most satisfactory for all concerned. These stocks, however, were practically all cleared in the '•arly part of this year, leaving the market in a healthier condition. Several factories in England have now taken up the manufacture o-f dried milk with success, turning out a very good, quality powder at prices competitive with the imported article. The principal supplies, however, continue to come from Holland, America. New Zealand, and Australia. Although the production and imports of dried milk increased considerably during the past year, and its utility has become generally established, it is still a young industry, with large possibilities. The chief difficulty to be overcome, say Messrs. Weddel, and which, if dealt with successfully, will give a'great impetus to the industry, is the production of a full cream dried milk which is entirely soluble in cold water and, at the same time, has good keeping properties. Skimmed milk powder, owing to the removal of fat, will, of course, keep for a considerable time, but here again solubility is most essential.

The consumption of condensed milk in the United Kingdom continues on a large scale. A more popular article of everyday use it would be difficult to find. There is, no doubt Messrs. Weddel say, that condensed milk is fully maintaining the popularity it gained during the war, and its possibilities as a profit, able product for the dairy factory produce must always command close attention. In. addition to old sources of supply, such as U.S.A., Holland, and Switzerland, increasing quantities are now being produced in Denmark, Australia, and also in England.