BRITISH FOOD IMPORTS

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25089, 22 January 1947, Page 7

BRITISH FOOD IMPORTS

INCREASED SUPPLIES OF CHEESE LESS BUTTER AND MEAT (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, January XL Although Britain in 1948 received more supplies of cheese than before the war, her imports of butter, meat, and wheat were all substantially lower. .The latest figures published show that before the war Britain’* supply of cheese totalled annually 3.BQo.ooocwt, of which home production accounted for I,ooo.ooocwt. New Zealand supplied 1,700.000 cwt, and Canada 600.000 cwt, In 1946 total imports were 4.300,000 cwt. of which home production accounted for 500.000 cwt. New Zealand supplied 1,600,000 cwt, Canada I.OOO.OOOcwt. and the United State* 800,000 cwt. In spite of this increase there is still a deficiency of cheese in Britain because of the increased demand due to the rationing of other foodstuffs. There has been a substantial reduction in butter imports. Before the war they averaged 10.500.000 cwt, of which home production accounted for I.OOO.OOOcwt. New Zealand supplied 2.700.000 cwt. Denmark 2.200.000 cwt, and Australia I.Boo.ooocwt. Last year Britain imported 4.300.000 cwt. of which home production, excluding farm butter. was 200.000 c wt. New Zealand supplied 1.900.00 cwt. Australia 1.200.000 cwt. and Denmark 900,000 cwt. Meat imports before the war averaged 46.400.000 cwt. of which 22,000.000 cwt was home produce. The Argentine sent 8,700,000 cwt. New Zealand 4.900,000 c wt. Australia 3.700.000 cwt, and Canada IOO.OOOcwt. Last year imports were 32. IOO.OOOcwt, of which home production accounted for 14.400.000 cwt. The Argentine sent 6,000,000 cwt, New Zealand 6.300,000 cwt, Australia I.OOO.OOOcwt, and Canada I.IOO.OOOcwt. Supplies of wheat before the war. including flour, were 7,300,000 ton*, of which 1.700,000 tons was home produce. Canada sent 2.200,000 tons, Australia 1,300,000 tons, the Argentine 600,000 tons, and the United State* 300,000 tons. Last year total import* were 6,400,000 tons, of which home production was 1.800,000 ton*. Canada sent 3,100,000 tons, Argentina 100,000 tons, and the United States 400,000 tons.

Commenting on Britain's food supplies. the “Economist” remarks that the immediate prospect does not give rise to any great optimism. “Perhaps the best guess is that at least another two to three years will have to dapse before normal supplies are restored,” adds the “Economist.”