LATEST COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1265, 28 May 1896, Page 19

LATEST COMMERCIAL.

THE NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE EXPORT TRADE. The Colonial Consignment and Distributing Company report on 17th April Bow Zealand Mutton. The shortage of nearly 50,000 New Zealand sheep lias boon more than counterbalanced by tho increase of 452,114 /Australian. Trade during the month Inis been dull in the extreme, and the lessoned numbers received have proved far greater than requirements warranted. Stocks are heavy, yet really prime sheep are scarce, and several enquiries for choice Cantorburys liavo not been satisfied, quality not coming up to buyers’ ideas; prices for best Cantorburys range from 2j-d to 3jd per lb, a few selected making 3LI per lb. Dunedins and Southlands have recoded from 3)d per lb a month ago to 2jd per lb for tho bright and fresh, and 2LI and 2.1 d per lb for stale and offcoloured, long lines of these bought c.i.f. three and four months ago now being marketed. North Island mutton is now being sold at about 2i;d per lb J; sales ex ship at 2-d per lh are reported. New Zealand Lamb.—A fairly pood trade has been done and large numbers have been moved, hut at reduced prices, the marketing of many whoso condition' necessitated prompt realisation had the effect of bringing prices down, and as the first large shipment was speedily followed by another, also more or less damaged, there has boon no chance of recovery, and quotations for tho best Cantor* hurys oil offer are 4id to tjd per fir, for Dunedins and ’Wellingtons 41 dto4 jd per lb. Prime sorts are not plentiful, most of the parcels received lacking the size, condition and quality of tho earlier shipments, but all are an improvement on many that came to hand last year. Now Zealand Beef.—Since January Ist 4(31 S quarters have been received of good quality, most of this has been imported for ” Defrosting,” an object that, until no.v, lias been frustrated by the excessively low rates at which chilled and Home killed States and Argentine beef has been sold. Better prices ruling for the last may now afford an opening for New Zealand. Butter.-—Australian and New Zealand has been slow, owing to the shorter supplies. For what has been offered there Ins been a fairly brisk demand, choicest being steady at 100 s, with pet brands a little higher, until the fall all through the market, when 90s became the top figure, though even then a few selected brands ranged 3s or 4s liigho”. Finest has fallen from 92s to fills, and fine makes from 72s to 83s. Cheese.—The cheese market is in a very disappointing condition, chiefly owing to tho largo stocks of Canadian and States, though during the last few days business has been brighter. “ Pale” cheese has a ready sale, hut the supplies are very short both in Canadian and New Zealand. “ Coloured ” (etches about Is less than “ pale,” and buyers are not at all eager. Asa whole the prices are much below those ruling in April of last year. 'The supplies of New Zealand are considerable, hut the demand is still for “ pale.” while “coloured” is coming forward in much greater quantities. The following London market cablegram has boon received by tho New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company : —Frozen meat —Lamb market firmer. Prime New Zealand lambs are worth per carcase 4,'d per Hi.