EGGS AND POULTRY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 81, 3 April 1908, Page 7

EGGS AND POULTRY.

' ;'." ..HIGH PRICES RULING. ~ at l|d are to lie looked upon as - something of a luxury. The economic ■ housekeeper looks askance at the quotation of 1/9 p? r dozen, with Easter so near at hand. At this time of the year there is always a natural falling off in the sup- ■ ply, and despite the fact that this season's output, through the Government grading depot,, has been considerably over two millions, comparatively . little is held in cold storage. Chinese eggs have been imported into some parts ■ of the Dominion, but the local demand has so far not been in excess of the supply- It is usual for prices to go up at this time of the year, though the rise has taken place a little earlier this seaBon. Producers are at present being paid .1/6 per dozen for egg 3, and the retail . quotation is 1/9 per "dozen. There is no likelihood of. the market being relieved for at least three months. ' Poultry has also been bringing record - prices, and the increase in the trade has been simply phenomenal. This year the export poultry trade collapsed, the reason being that the local demand throughout the season was such as to monopolize : the output. In previous years Auckland poultry farmers have been to some trouble in building up an.export trade, but this ■season local prices* vrere such that -breeders found it far more remunerative to sell locally. The dearness of foodstuffs >' has had the effect of compelling farmers ■- to. sell oil all surplus stock, but values have, nevertheless, kept up, and the pre- j sent quotation is 8d per lb for prime ducklings and chickens, and 5d per lb for other grades ' Zi-, , !