DAIRY PRODUCE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 19 December 1925, Page 9

DAIRY PRODUCE.

A MONTH’S REVIEW. Messrs A. H. Turnbull and Co., of Christchurch, supply maximum weekly quotations for dairy produce as cabled by Messrs W- Weddel and Co., Ltd., London, covering the past three weeks:

Butter. —As will be seen, the butter market has steadily declined in spite of the fact that there have been practically no arrivals , of New Zealand butter during the past fortnight. Latest advices, however, are brighter, and report a better demand at the lower quotations now 7 ruling, and it is generally anticipated that the increased demand for ’the Christmas trade may bring about some improvement in prices. The outlook after Christmas is far from bright, and with the heavy arrivals during January u 7 e must expect a slow and dragging market. The best that can be hoped is that the lower prices will stimulate consumption and enable the greater part of these stocks to be cleared without causing a serious fall ,in values. One serious aspect of the position is the fact that a considerable quantitv of last season’s New 7 Zealand butter “is still in cool 6tore and, being somewdiat stale, is having a most depressing effect on the market generally, and is practically unsaleable at the moment. Cheese. —Cheese quotations are stdl nominal. The Turakina, with 7000 crates of New Zealand cheese, has just arrived, but sales have not yet been reported. This steamer is followed by the Tainui (9500 crates), Atliemc (20,000 crates), and Tongariro (30,000 crates), all due to arrive before Christmas. It is possible that the Christmas trade may absorb the arrivals without affecting prices, but a, weaker market must be expected with the heavier cargoes to arrive during January. Forward Market. Forward buyers wi l ] show no interest in either butter or cheese. There is no'doubt that the supplies from all sources due in January and early February , are making forward buyers nervous, and they prefer to wait until the arrival of the produce before buying. Statistics. —Below 7 is set out a comparison of shipments and gradings for the past three years. The chief point of interest in these three figures is that the butter production is considerably less than last year and more on a par with 1923 season, whilst on the other hand cheese production to date shows a slight increase over last season.

Nor. 27 Dec. 4 Dec. 11 Danish butter 196/N.Z., unsalted 180/N.Z., salted 194/176/-

Shipments. Butter. 1923. 1924. 1924. Cwts. Cwts. Cwts. During Nov. 1 70,500 164,000 208,000 Four months , to Nov. 30 326,500 325,000 308,500 Awaiting shipment Nov. 30 77,000 95,000 8S,000 Shipments CheeseCrates. Crates. Crates. During Nov. 120,000 74,000 142,000 Four months to Nov. 30 177.000 163,000 146,000 Awaiting shipment Nov. 30 Cwts. Cwts. Cwts. 141,000 90,000 140,000