DAIRY PRODUCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22963, 19 August 1936, Page 10

DAIRY PRODUCE

WORLD’S LARGEST EXPORTER

DOMINION’S LEADING PLACE

SHIPMENTS TO GREAT BRITAIN

For the first time New Zealand figured last year as the world's largest exporter of both butter and cheese, according to Dairy Produce Supplies in 1935. a survey published last month by the Imperial Economic Committee copies of which have reached New Zealand. Denmark lost to New Zealand her position as chief butter exporter, and the Netherlands was displaced by the Dominion as the world’s largest exporter of cheese. For the second year in succession New Zealand was the principal source of imported butler on the United Kingdom market, and although the quantity was over 1 per cent, loss than in 1934, she accounted for 27J per cent, of total imports, or approximately the same as in the two preceding years. Imports of butter from Denmark, the second most important source, were reduced by 12 per cent, to comprise 23 per cent, of the total, against 26 per cent, in 1934. A slight increase in supplies from Australia brought that country almost to the level of Denmark. Australian imports represented 22 per cent, of the total in both 1934 and 1935. New Zealand remained by far the chief source of imported cheese during 1935. but sent 16 per cent, less than in the previous year. New Zealand cheese imported into the United Kingdom comprised 65 per cent, of all imports, against 70 per cent, in 1934. .Supplies from Canada show a long-time downward trend and there was a further reduction of 10 per cent, in 193 j, the proportion which they bore to total imports amounting to 17 per cent, in both 1935, and 1934.

REMARKABLE DEVELOPMENT “ The post-war period,” states the report, “has witnessed a remarkable development in the New Zealand dairy industry, due partly to the more intensive cultivation of pasture (for example, by the breeding of better strains of grasses and the greater use of fertilisers), with an Increase in dairycow numbers, and partly to the increased yields of butler-fat per cow. Between 1924-25 and 1933-34 the number of cows increased by 46 per cent., and the average yield of butter-fat per cow by 21 per cent. As a result, butter production in this period practically doubled, while cheese production increased by 47 per cent.” . Imports of New Zealand pork into the United Kingdom reached record figures and accounted for 54 per cent, of the total supplies of that commodity last year. , Although imports of dairy produce, poultry and pig products into, the United Kingdom in 1935 represented 28 per cent, by value of the total imports of food, drink and tobacco, the aggregate quantity of those imports was appreciably less than in 1934, states the report. Dairy products resisted the depression rather longer than most agricultural commodities, but prices continued to decline in 1934, when many farm commodities were showing a reversal of the downward trend. In 1935, however, the price of dairy produce rose more than those of agricultural products in general. Total imports of dairy, pig and poultry products in 1935 cost £3,000,000 more than in the previous year, following a decline of £2,000,000 between 1933 and 1934. Butter imports by value were greater than those of any other single article of food, although bacon was displaced by wheat for second place. The share of Empire countries in the imports of dairy produce and allied products has increased in recent years, and record proportions of butter, hams, pork and lard were entered last year. Coincident with this development, production in the United Kingdom Itself has tended to represent a growing proportion of the total supplies available for consumption. The quantity of butter entering world trade increased by 2 per cent, to a record figure in 1935. Imports into the United Kingdom, amounting to 9,600,000 cwt„ valued at £39,300,000, were 1 per cent, loss in quantity, but 18 per cent, greater in value than in 1934, and accounted for more than four-fifths of world imports of butter. Supplies from Empire sources comprised 57 per cent, of total imports, and were greater, both proportionately and in actual volume, than ever before. In spite of increased prices, the consumption of butter in 1935 was maintained at the previous year’s record level of 25,21 b per head, a figure 6.51 b greater than in 1930. It is of interest to note that the per caput consumption of margarine, 'estimated at 8.41 b in 1933, was £lb heavier than in 1934, though nearly 341 b below the 1030 figure. WORLD TRADE IN CHEESE World trade in cheese has declined in recent years. Imports into the United Kingdom in 1935. amounting to 2,700.000 cwt. were 9 per cent, less than in 1934. and the smallest since 1922. Empire supplies declined, but accounted for 88 per cent, of total imports. Imports of condensed milk were reduced by a further 15 per cent, in 1935. The remarkable growth in recent years of an export trade in condensed milk of United Kingdom manufacture, mainly to the tropical Empire, is a feature of some interest The quantity of eggs entering international trade has decreased by onethird in (he past five years. But imports into the United Kingdom in 1935 were 6 per cent, greater than in 1034, and totalled 198.000.000 dozens. Denmark accounted for one-third of the total, and all Empire supplies for only 24 per cent,, compared with 31 per cent, in the previous year. Production in the United Kingdom itself also declined. although accounting for twothirds of total supplies, and consumption is estimated to have declined from 150 eggs oer head in 1934 to 147 in 1935.