EGG PRICES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 181, 1 August 1936, Page 12

EGG PRICES.

PENNY REDUCTIONS.

eliminating guesswork.

export arrangements.

The efforts of the recently formed Auckland Egg and Export Committee have been of benefit to producers, as the prices over the last six weeks have shown an improvement of twopence per dozen over those ruling for the same period last year. This has been accomplished during the most difficult period of the year, the period of increasing supplies and falling prices.

Mr. A. E. Knowles, chairman of the price fixation sub-committee, said this morning that the committee had endeavoured to eliminate guesswork and substitute facts in their efforts to secure the best prices. Twice weekly each agent supplied the chairman with lists of the complete stocks of eggs in his store, together with reports of selling activities, and these facts enabled the committee to base prices oil the actual total quantities of eggs available and to gauge more accurately the general tone of the market.

Penny Reductions. In past years towards the end of the winter months, when supplies of eggs were increasing, prices were held as long as possible, and when a reduction could no longer be avoided prices fell suddenly, in some cases as much as 7d per dozen in one week. Idealising that this condition of uncertainty was not helping to maintain the best prices, the committee, this season adopted the policy of a Id per dozen reduction, which meant that each time the prices Kvere reduced the reduction did not exceed Id. It was largely due to this policy that improved prices upon those ruling during the same period last year were obtained. This had had the cffect of creating greater confidence among buyers.

Mr. Knowles said that from experience it had been found, if the best prices were to be obtained, for export eggs, they should reach London before December 10, in order to catch the Christmas trade, and the committee had arrangements well in hand to commence packing in the latter part of the present month. The first shipment of 1100 crates would leave in September. Already eggs to be exported from Auckland have been sold forward at prices at improved rates from those obtained last season.

Pulping Problem. The problem of egg-pulping, which had given the committee some concern, had been solved by two agreements, Mr. Knowles said. One agreement, whicli embraces all members of the committee, fixes the minimum at which egg-pulp can be sold, the figure ensuring a profit to the egg-pulp manufacturer and at the same time ensuring to producers 1/ per dozen for their eggs. The second agreement concerns the egg-pulp requirements of the large cake makers. There is a guaranteed price of 1/ a dozen for eggs for pulping purposes, with the guarantee of a definite supply.

ill. Knowles expressed the opinion that the price of eggs in Auckland during the coming flush should be assured at a figure of at least 1/ per dozen, and it should be a matter of congratulation among producers that the problems so far met have been successfully solved.