BRITISH BUTTER MARKET.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVI, Issue XLVI, 30 May 1914, Page 3

BRITISH BUTTER MARKET.

"The course of the butter market continues very disappointing to sellers, as repeated reductions* in value do not stimulate the de- ; mand," sfated the Grocer (London), of 11th i April. "The losses on Colonial butler this sea1-' son are said to be very considerable, and i it is evident that the strike in New Zealand in the closing months oi last year did far! more harm to the trade than has been generally recognised. Prices for a time were forced unduly high, and Australian butter was purchased in preference to New Zealand, consequently when the latter became available in quantity by arrivals taking place in quick succession, the demand • was very sluggish, and with weak holders ready to sell at nearest offers, the market drifted from bad to worse. The difficulty also of financing big quantities of both butter and cheese under adverse market conditions contributed its share to bring about the present unstable state of affairs. Then again, margarine was never more extensively used than at present, and this trade has received'every stimulus through the high prices ruling for butter for a considerable time past. Dear butter is one of the best assets of the margarine trade. A good deal oi Colonial butter has lately been sold at prices showing losses of 10s to 15s per cwt. An absence of speculation characterises the demand, and there is a good deal -of secondary butter offering which is difficult to place, notwithstanding the lower prices quoted. There is every prospect of a good season in Siberia, a very large output Deing anticipated. The open weather here experienced is also quickly bringing on supplies ,of home make, and therefore the enquiry for butter is generally restricted."