FOOD PRICES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18591, 27 June 1922, Page 4

FOOD PRICES

BUTTER ADVANCING. (Feom Oce Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, June 26. Contrary to expectations, butter has advanced instead of being reduced 'in price. It was expected that tue reappearance on the Ipcal market of butter from a factory which in recent year® has confined its attention to the export trade would result in a reduction in price, but against this there was the recent rise in prices in London. As a result of this rise at Home butter has advanced hare 2d per lb, and the (retail price to-dtly for factory butter is la Jld per lb. Some grocers are selling butter in. their own wrappers at la lOd per lb. Eggs have fallen in price by about 4d per dozen, and to-day a dozen new-laid eggs oan be purchased for 2s 2d. Plentiful supplies., are coming forward to the local market, just now. Sugar is selling at 4d per lb retail—just about what it costs the grocer. A local retailer pointed out that grocers were losing money on sugar because there was no margin for the cost of paper and string, and the time of the assistant.' Further, from a 70lb bag it is practically impossible to weigh 70 separate pounds of sugar, not because the bags 'were under weight, but because there was always a certain amount of loss in the weighing-out process. At the request of the manufacturers, the price of Glaxo has been raised from 2s lOd to 3s for a small tin, and from 6s to 7s fid for a large tin. Though prime beef advanced from 53s to 35s per head at Addington market on Wednesday, butchers have not put up the prices of beef to the public. It is doubtful whether the advance will be maintained next Wednesday. It was due primarily to a smaller entry than usual, and should there be an over-supply of beef at next market prices will probably recede again. It, was expected that the freezing workers’ strike would result in a reduction in fat sheep pricey, but so far this has not been the case with prime quality sheep. Competition among butchers who want only- prime mutton helped to maintain the price for this class. Light mutton, suitable for export, has receded in 'price.