Record Volume Sn Dairy Products Export

Northern Advocate, 30 July 1949, Page 6

Record Volume Sn Dairy Products Export

WELLINGTON, Sat. (P.A.).—Answering inquiries regarding the quantities of dairy produce to be exported in the 1948-49 oroduction season, the chairman of the Dairy Products Marketing Commission (Mr W. Marshall) said that, as the season did not end •■ill tomorrow, it would be another month before exact figures were available, but, as July was a low production month, the estimate 5.1* that period would not materially affect the figures.

Approximately, they would be as follows, with 1948-49 figures following in parentheses: butter 144,000 (130,000), cheese 94,000 (80,000), dried milks 20,800 (15,000), canned milk. 9700 (8500), casein 4000 (3800).

On this basis, the increase shown in the 1948-49 season was half of the amount indicated as a possibility for the seven-year period. It must be realised, however, that the season was a very favourable one, and seasonal conditions contributed largely to the increase. This could be seen in comparison with figures for the peak year, 1940-41, which, in tons were as follows; butter, 136.000, cheese, 118,000, dried milks, 9300, canned milk 3500, casein 800. The total for the 1940-41 on a butterfat basis was slightly higher than in 1948-49, but the total of dairy products for 1948-49, on a volume basis, will constitute a record for the Dominion. The target ef a 20 per cent increase over seven years on the 1947-48 output should clearly be the objective of New Zealand, and an all-out effort would be necessary to achieve it.

On the basis of butter-fat content of products the 1948-49 exports give an increase of 10 per cent on previous years.

Iri order to see clearly the relationship of this increase to the understanding reached with the United Kingdom for expansion in production, said Mr Marshall, it should be recalled that, when discussions were taking place in 1948, the New Zealand delegation indicated that, given reasonably good seasonal conditions, a gradual increase of production on the 1947-48 season, reaching 20 per cent in the seven-year period covered by the long-term contract, was a nossibility.