RIVALRY IN DAIRY WORLD.

Shannon News, 5 October 1926, Page 4

RIVALRY IN DAIRY WORLD.

CANADA SEEKS FIRST PI/ACE. During recent years there has been considerable discussion with regard to the competition which Canadian butter and cheese is meeting, and will have I to meet, in, the world’s markets, says Dr. J. A. Ruddick, Canadian ,pairy Commissioner. The competition from New Zealand has been of special interest, because of the similarity of products and the . close relationship in volume and quality of New Zealand and Canadian cheese. While the fact itself was of no great importance, it hurt our pride somewhat when we learned , fevv years ago that New Zealand had outstripped jus in the quantity of cheese exported. Her Old Place. It will be - some satisfaction to know that'there is a possibility, if present tendencies prevail, that Canada may regain her old position as the largest exporter of cheese. For 12 months ended October, 1925, our cheese exports were 23 percent, larger than they' were in the preceding 12 months, while tho exports of cheese from. New Zealand for their year, which ended July, 1925, showed a#* decrease of 5.2 per cent. If we take the total exports of all products from both countries and reduce them to a butter-fat basis for the same period, we find that while Canada’s total exports showed an increase of 27 per cent., those from New Zealand were increased by only 6.8 per cent. As New Zealand’s lead in cheese, based on last season’s exports, from both countries is only 10 or 12 million pounds, there is justification for the suggestion that Canada may re'gain, temporarily at least, her old status as the largest cheese exporter in the world. New Zealand’s production of cheese will depend a good deal- on whether the dual plants, of which there are many in that country, devote their attention to butter or cheese. The important thing in competition, however, iis the matter of comparative quality, and, while it is not so easy to make definito statements on that point, we have these facts to go on, that the premium for Canadian cheese over that of New Zealand was larger last year than it has been for son® years, and the premium on’ .New Zealand butter over Canadian was reduced in 1925, as against 1924, by over 4 shillings per cwt., or about 25 per cent. Sold on Brand. New Zealand cheese comes on the market in large lots under the same factory brand. Tlieir large factories and Infrequent shipments promote this result. It has had an advantage over Canadian ebeeso in this respect, but that advantage is being discounted by the grading and marking of Canadian. New Zealand cheese is sold more oh the brand than on the grade, while the’ tendency is to buy and , sell Canadian cheese according to grade. _____ ' /