DAIRY PRODUCE.

Evening Post, Volume LVII, Issue 23, 28 January 1899, Page 2

DAIRY PRODUCE.

With regard to the dairy produce nwr ket, my first report this week comes from Messrs. Dempster, Peterson and Co., of Glasgow. Their letter states that in all their northern markets there has been a strong demand for choicest quality butter, supplies of which have been, and still are, in limited compass. With the fall-ing-off in the arrivals of Irish and Canadian butter and the general scarcity of that of Home manufacture, Danish butter has advanced Jo almost extreme prices, and the Copenhagen official quotation har been of late repeatedly raised, until it now, stands at 114s 6d to 119s f.o.b. On the spot, choicest Danish butter command? 126s to 128s per cwt., but at these high rates buyers are inclined to act cautiously, believing that before long a reaction will occur. In the absence of supplies, how ever, Messrs. Dempster and Peterson are of opinion that prices will be maintained for- several weeks longer. Last Aveek the first shipment of the sea son of New Zealand butter, brought by the Gothic, reached the Northern market, and I am told that it met with a quiet sale at prices ranging from 116s to 118s pc cwt. "The quality, texture, and flavoiu were fine, but, as was to be expected v the first shipment, the colour of the but ter was on the high side. With advance of summer in the colony, however, and a consequent drier pasturage, thit undesirably high tint should give p!ace <o the paler' and therefore more suitable colour." Messrs. Dempster and Peterson note that some of the Australian bului reeontly imported was of too deep a huts ; but, as the quality of the produce otheiwise was fine, a ready sale was easily ob tamed. Australian butter, like that v* New Zealand, is quoted at 116s to 118s. In Scotland there is a marked and increasing activity in the cheese market, and it is anticipated that the first arrivals from New Zealand should meet with ready sale. Finest Canadian cheese n quoted at 46s to 48s. Supplies of Nqw Zealand and Australian butter were badly wanted, the market having been run rather close of late in these classes, and sellers are able to force up the price considerably. Since their last report, the C.C. and D. Company say that rates have shown a considerable improvement, values now ranging from 110s to 116s, which/is 10s higher than a fortnight ago. The turn-out of the Gothic 'was on the whole good and satisfactory prices were xealisea, but, remark this firm, the butter from New Zealand is not yet on a level with the choicest Australian. There is little prospect, it is thought, of the present high range holding for any time, and «,t present there are signs of a weaker tendency. Though good sales of colonial butter are being made, the retailers are selling large quan-, tities of it at Is, " which loss will have to be made up later in the. season." This week there are said to be indications that the high official quotations of Danish and Swedish butter will be, lowered, as they were forced too much.