BRITAIN’S FOOD IMPORTS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 257, 17 August 1950, Page 5

BRITAIN’S FOOD IMPORTS

MORE BUTTER AND MEAT LONDON, August 16. Britain imported more butter and meat in the first six months of 1950 than she did in the same period last year. A greater proportion of milk has been used for making cheese and butter. Supplies of imported cheese were less, states the monthly intelligence bulletin of the Commonwealth Economic Committee. Imports of butter were 8 per cent, higher. Supplies from Denmark rose to 1,186,388 cwt (810,775 cwt) in 1949. Imports from New Zealand were about 100,000 cwt more at l,BsLoß4cwt. Imports of cheese for this half-yearly period were only 1,G00,597cwt., compared with 2,461,139 cwt in 1949. New Zealand Avas the main supplier, Avith 1,079,533 cwt. Just more than 1,000,000,000 gallons of milk were produced on British farms, of which 239,000,000 gallons Avere used for manufacturing. Of that amount 37 per cent, was used for making cheese, 25 per cent .for butter, 24 per cent, for condensed milk and 13 per cent, for milk powder. This Avas an all-round increase over the same period last year, when 159,000,000 gallons of milk were used for manufacturing. Total imports of meat were 57 per cent, greater than in 1949, and only 9 per cent, lower than in 1938, Mutton and lamb imports Avere 17 per cent, more, those of beef nearly tAvice as much, and tinned and canned meat 34 per cent.'higher.