HONEY MARKET PROSPECTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 February 1937, Page 2

HONEY MARKET PROSPECTS

BOARD CHAIRMAN OPTIMISTIC [PEE PBESS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, February 19. An optimistic view of the market prospects, and the announcement, oi a flat rate of payment plus bonus, to producers, are disclosed in a report released by Mr. J. R. Rutland, chairman of the Honey Control Board. In a circular to the producers, the Board states: The continued satisfactory position of the Board’s business in Britain has enabled a complete clearance of all accumulated stocks, and very satisfactory progress in the disposal of last season’s export. Advice just received disclosed further increases in the Imperial Bee and second pack sales. The Board’s actual sales in 193 G exceeded those of 1928 by 33J tons, and the producer obtained a much higher return. Providing there is no shortage in supply, the Board is confident that the present season’s sales will exceed those oi 1929, the peak year, by a substantially greater amount. To encourage adequate supplies to take care of this business, it has been decided this season to replace the present system of offering producers an advance, and in its stead, to make a straight-out flat payment of 31d per lb, when honey is received into store and passed for export. This covers all honeys, ‘irrespective of grade. A careful survey of the situation leads to the conclusion that the export business is in an extremely satisfactory position, and producers sending honey forward this season, in addition to getting the advantages offered above, have every reason to expect the ultimate returns will be substantially better than the .previous record payments in 1934-35 of 6.1 d per lb. pro rata. The Board has consistently endeavoured to develop the secondary pack for the purpose of bettering the position of the producers located in areas producing darker honeys. Satisfactory progress has been made with this pack, and the opening of fresh avenues for disposal of these honeys has every promise of success and it has been decided to offer a bonus of £d per lb. on all honey grading between 70 to 80 points, progressively diminishing from 80 to 100 points. The above are not pro rata payments, but ensure for every pound of honey sent in, an immediate payment of 3ld per lb., plus a bonus of Ad per lb. as stated above. The arrangement also applies to all honey sent in prior to receipt of this notice. The Board reserves the right to revise this offer after the receipt of the first 200 tons.