COMMERCIAL

Hokitika Guardian, 19 January 1932, Page 3

COMMERCIAL

Produce prices. Messrs W. Weddel and Co., Ltd., advise under date 13th January, as follows : Danish butter 118/- to 120/- per cwt. N.Z. finest butter 96/- to 99/- per cwt. “Kangaroos” 96/-, to 99/-. N.Z. Cheese white 58/- to 59/- per •cwt; coloured 56/- to 57/-. Butter market steady; cheese market steady. • BUTTER. The market Has been slow and disappointing throughout the month of December but there has been a slight improvement in the spot market early in January, chiefly due to the strike of lightermen. Messrs W. Weddel and Co. Ltd., have cabled ns that the market collapsed when the Australians resumed their cheap offerings of “Kangaroos”. These were offered down to as low as 93/- c.i.f.e, and the Australians also exercised extreme pressure to sell spot stocks, this on account of the heavy arrivals of Australian during the month. The consumption of New Zealand butter has been well maintained, but in these unsettled times it is difficult to forecast how the market will move in the immediate and more distant future. There has been a fairly steady inquiry by forward buyers during th e past few"'weeks and a considerable quantity^/"of butter was sold at 10)d f'.o.b. oceab steamer for January—February shipment and buyers later increased their limits to lOjjd, and a greater quantity still has been sold at this price. At the moment forward buyers seem’ a little less .active, CHEESE. I The cheese market has also been very disappointing and has shown a. drop throughout the month. The spot market has improved somewhat owing to the strike of lightermen. The quantities of New Zealand cheese due to arrive in London in January-February and March are not quite as great as the quantities of the two previous seasons for the same period so it is hoped that the market will not show any further decline, hut that possibly we may see some improvement.