DAIRY PRODUCE

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 130, 28 November 1929, Page 12

DAIRY PRODUCE

BRITAIN'S IMPORTS

The Ministry- of Agriculture has issued some interesting details regarding the imports of provisions during 1928. Figures given show that the total importation of butter into the United Kingdom was heavier in 1928 than in any previous year, the increase as compared with 1927 and 1926 being about 15,000 tons. This increase was due to the much larger quantity sent from Australia, the total supplies from North and South America, and from the Continent showing a falling-offi as compared with the previous year. Of European countries, Denmark, which is by far the largest source of imported butter, sent nearly 101,000 tons, or about 1000 tons more than 1927, and this increase was augmented by small additions shown by Sweden and France. On the other hand, reduced quantities were received from Eussia, Finland, Netherlands, and the Irish Free State, the two latter countries;showing a joint reduction of 340u.tons. '.

The net decrease shown in imports from European countries, as compared with 1927, was about 2700 tons. ■ An almost similar net decrease was shown in the total quantity received from Argentina and North America. Supplies from Argentina were less by 2600 tons than in 1927, and, although both the United States and Canada sent more than three times their 1927 quota, the total imports from these two countries are so small as to have little effect in counteracting.the. reduction in quantity sent from Argentina. Australia sent 43,----600 tons, or 19,200 tons more than in 1927, while New Zealand's contribution of 61,400 tons showed a decrease of only 1200 tons. • ■

A feature of the imports of butter is tho approximation shown between the total received from Australia and New Zealand on the one hand and those front Denmark on'tho other. In 1928 and 1925 the total from Australia and New Zealand was in excess of that from Denmark, whereas in other recent years the balance had been in favour of the latter country.. These combined sources supply roughly two-thirds of the total quantity of butter imported into the United Kingdom. The imports of these during 192S amounted to 150,000 tons, compared with 147,000 tons in 1927. Just over one-half of the total imports came from New Zealand, whose contribution of 78,000 tons, however, was slightly below last year's figures, although over average for the last five years. Canada sent 46,000 tons, which was about 4000 tons more than in 1927. Quantities received from the Netherlands and Italy —viz., 11,400 tons and 7100 tons—were almost identical with the amounts imported from these countries in 1927. The amount received from Australia was 3700 tons, compared with 1800 tons in 1927, while the total imported from the-United-States was 0n1y,280 tons, or less than, one-third of the quantity received in 1927, '