BUTTER AND CHEESE.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 March 1922, Page 5

BUTTER AND CHEESE.

PROBABLE SEASON’S RETURNS AN IMPROVING MARKET. Wellington, March 4. The markets for both butter and cheese have been holding fairly steady for several weeks, and the indications are for a continuance of this position. There is even a likelihood of an improvement, offers having been made for March shipment at Is l|d per ]'b. free on board. This figure is *1 little better than the current market indication. Discussing with a prominent representative of the co-operative producing eonce’rns the probable returns to the producers this season, your correspondent xwas informed that on the present prices of 92s to 102 s per cwt for cheese this would represent a return to the supplier of probably Is sd. per lb. of butter-fat for the season. Butter ranges from 135 s to 140 s per cwt., which would enable the factories to pay out a total of Is Id per lb. of butter-fat when the accounts are closed for the season. Of course no factory would take the risk of making payments on this basis at present, advances for S:th butter and cheese being ir the neighbourhood of a cautious 9d •r lOd, but the indications for the future justify the prediction, with some confidence.’ that producers may look forward to a consoling “clear-up” when all accounts are complete. Dairy factory supplies have been reduced in price, but as it was necessary to secure stocks for the season well in advance of requirements, it has been impossible to show much reduction on costs for the current make. However, indents for next season’s requirements, which are now bfling arranged, show that it will be possible to land most, of the supplies at a reduction of 50 per cent, on former prices.—Hawera Star Special.